Patek Philippe just announced that after five years, construction work on their new production facility at Plan-les-Ouates has been completed. The new Patek Philippe building, referred to as a repository of know-how under one roof is a 10-storey vision of tomorrow that stands where the company parking lot used to be. Measuring 189m X 67m and standing 34 meters above ground, the new facility was envisioned in 1996 by then president Philippe Stern to reunite under one roof the brand’s business activities that had been located across many locations across the city and to secure the independence of the company in the long term.

This new building and its modern architecture design accentuate the landscape of Plan-les-Ouates with its huge ocean liner silhouette and large-format glazing glass panels to allow abundant natural lighting to enter. This Haute Performance Energetique-compliant building will allow for Patek Philippe’s growth for the next 20-30 years and are ideal prerequisites for securing the success of the family-owned manufacture and preserving its independence for the coming generations.

To commemorate the completion of the structure that reasserts Patek Philippe’s Genevan roots and its confidence in the future of watchmaking artistry, a commemorative watch has also been unveiled. Referred to as the Ref. 6007 Calatrava in steel, this watch will be limited to 1000 pieces.

In keeping with Patek Philippe’s tradition of marking key events in its corporate history with the launch of a special timepiece, the brand created the new Reference 6007 Calatrava in stainless steel with a unique center dial design featuring a light-bending “carbon” texture. Another design element that stands out is its broad cambered bezel in polished steel, a material not often seen in Patek Philippe collections. Complementing these features are the railway track scale of the hour circle with triangle markers, the pierced baton hands for the hours and minutes and applied Arabic numerals which all contribute to a vibrant dial architecture. Highlighting the personality of the dial further is the grayish blue hue accompanied by the subtle circular satin finish that contrasts against the white dial imprints as well as the applied numerals and the white-lacquered hands in white gold with luminous coatings. Lastly, a calfskin strap with decorative white seams and a delicately embossed structure reminiscent of textile fabrics are coordinated in terms of color and structure to match the center dial.

The 40mm Ref. 6007 Calatrava comes with a sapphire-crystal caseback specially marked with a Calatrava cross and the inscription “New Manufacture 2019” commemorating the year when the first work groups moved into the new building. Only 1,000 watches will be produced.