Grand Complication Exhibition at Aaron Faber Gallery in New York features $1.5 Million Patek Philippe Watch

As a part of Grand Complication, The Exhibition, the Aaron Faber Gallery in New York has several exquisite pieces on display, including a $1.5 Million Rare Patek Philippe.

Edward Faber, the gallery’s owner and author of American Wristwatches: Five Decades of Style and Design spoke with Haute Time at the gallery and walked us through the superb pieces—some of which were only in New York for one week. As a whole, the exhibition explores both the rivalry and mania surrounding watch collecting among the very rich at the turn of the 20th century and the ongoing fascination in the modern world with grand complications, considered the most complex achievement of fine watchmaking and the supreme test of a watch designer’s expertise and a watchmaker’s skill.

The most unique piece on display was the Patek Philippe Ref 959, movement 866’781—an 18K yellow gold keyless two-train, Grande Complication Grande et Petite Sonnerie clockwatch with trip minute-repeating, split-seconds chronograph with visible works, instantaneous 30-minute register, instantaneous perpetual calendar with phases of the moon, and 24-hour indications, estimated value of $1.5 million.

“What we’re seeing is that the world and the luxury marketplace is constantly looking for what’s new and different, they are rediscovering pocket watches. They are rediscovering that these things are exclusive, special and are kind of cool,” Faber said. “At the same time we’re noticing that younger people, in their 20s, and 30s, who are totally educated with the virtual world of computers and tablets and iPhones, have great interest—both men and women—in something to actually wear their wrist that they can control. They can set the time…they can interact with it and watch it work. They are coming back to mechanical timepieces.”

Two more eye-catching pieces were from Gerard Genta which experts have considered among the most magnificent desk clocks.

Other notable pieces include a a Breguet Minute Repeater, Ref 3637; a Blancpain Moon Perpetual, caliber 6511 and Blancpain Léman Alarm GMT caliber 1241; and a Master Control Perpetual, Ref. 140.2.80 from Jaeger LeCoultre.

As a part of the week long exhibition, events including a roundtable discussion with Faber, Michael Friedman, Osvaldo Patrizzi, Alexis Sarkissian attended by collectors and connesueiers. Also, Stacy Perman, The New York Times Bestselling author of A Grand Complication: The Race to Build the World’s Most Legendary Watch was on hand to sign copies of her tome.

“We continue to find more and more interest in these vintage timepieces—something with some kind of heritage, and in big names like Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Cartier,” he said. “I’m very keen in things that aren’t generally available specifically ones that are no longer made. I’m strongly motivated by quality both in the machine, the horlogerie part, and really avant garde design in terms of the casemaking. I have a few favorites by Patek Philippe, of course, but I also have some really avant guard designs by Piaget, and I love some American watches—some early Hamilton’s, and a precursor to Hamilton, Illinois Watch Company.”

Adrienne Faurote

Editor in Chief · Haute Time

As a former New Yorker, now a “Miamian,” Adrienne Faurote joined Haute Living in August of 2021. She currently serves as the Haute Media Group Editor-in-Chief, overseeing all editorial platforms within the Haute Media Group while also maintaining her role as Fashion, Jewelry & Watch Director. Prior to her position at Haute Living, Faurote was the Market Editor at Marie Claire Magazine US, amassing over ten years in the industry, becoming an authoritative voice in all things fashion, jewelry, and watches.