PATEK PHILIPPE. A VERY FINE AND UNIQUE GILT BRASS SOLAR POWERED DOME CLOCK WITH PAILLONÉ ENAMEL

Patek Philippe opened its Electronic Division in 1948 with the goal of exploring photoelectric, electronic, and nuclear timekeeping. The department produced the groundbreaking solar clock, the first of its kind. In 1955, the solar-powered photoelectric clocks were exhibited at the 1955 World Symposium, and displayed at the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts. In the 1960s, Patek Philippe began using quartz technology in its clock production, and began phasing out the use of solar versions. These "Dome" clocks are highly collectable, and often feature a unique and individually decorated case, usually featuring cloisonné enamel scenes.

Towards the end of the 1940s, the Swiss watchmaking industry revived the technique of cloisonné enamel. This technique uses fine bands (filaments) of gold or copper to outline the design subject, which are then soldered to the surface of a plate. The empty spaces are then filled with ground enamel and fired multiple times so that the surface becomes perfectly levelled. Patek Philippe's enamellers take up to one year to complete such a dome clock and less than a handful can be completed each year at their workshops.

The present clock features a pailloné enamel scene instead of the better known cloisonné enamel. The theme depicted on the present clock is called "Birds in Pailloné enamel": three birds including a peacock and a rooster and framed with a wreath of leaves.

Pailloné is the French word for "spangling" and describes the technique of decorating using coloured metal spangles or specks (called paillons) and then firing them together with a layer of transparent enamel. The result is a beautiful enamel with a glittering appearance.