Building  upon their historic and distinctive partnership, Tiffany & Co. and Patek  Philippe announce the April 2008 opening of a Patek Philippe salon, the first  in the U.S., in Tiffany’s New York flagship store. The salon will be dedicated  exclusively to showcasing the legendary watchmaker’s renowned timepieces and  celebrating its watchmaking heritage.



Located on the mezzanine in Tiffany’s  flagship store at 5th  Avenue and 57th Street, the 3,000-square-foot salon  will present some of the watchmaker’s unique and most sought-after timepieces,  horological masterpieces that embody the craftsmanship, tradition and  innovation that define a Patek Philippe. Featuring a collection of all  current models, the salon will also include an extensive library, individual  customer consultation areas, and a studio for on-site  repairs.



“The salon celebrates the art of  watchmaking as practiced by the most skilled craftspeople working in the great  tradition of Patek Philippe,” said Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and chief  executive officer of Tiffany & Co. “We’ve designed an environment that is  symbolic of the standards our two companies have shared for over 150 years, an  environment where customers and collectors alike may peruse the world’s finest  timepieces created with consummate dedication to craft that is the foundation  of our partnership and mutual success.”



“We are proud to work with our longest  standing partner, Tiffany & Co., in creating a salon of this magnitude,”  said Larry Pettinelli, president of Patek Philippe USA. “Our goal  is to create an exciting and interactive environment to serve as a world-wide  destination for watch enthusiasts.”



Unique to the salon will be a collection  of traveling museum pieces on loan from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.  These rare timepieces chronicle the art of horology and have special  historical significance in the development of Patek Philippe. A portion of the  collection will also highlight the shared history of Patek Philippe and  Tiffany & Co. in the U.S. Examples include exquisitely enameled pocket  watches and dome clocks as well as a variety of timepieces owned by celebrated  individuals.



The salon’s design, by French architect  Patrick Gaguech, draws inspiration from the Art Deco period and the work of  early thirties designers Jacques Ruhlmann, Pierre Chareau, Andre Arbus and Kaj  Franck. Gaguech’s design incorporates custom furnishings and cabinetry in  Indian rosewood, ebony and Birdseye maple, with inlayed designs, tapestries,  ironwork, alabaster and plush leather that altogether create a warm and  elegant environment.



In conjunction with  the salon opening, Patek Philippe will host a three-day exhibition titled “The  Values of a Family Watch Company” on the fifth floor of Tiffany’s flagship  store. Showcasing the illustrious 169-year  history of Patek Philippe, the exhibition will provide the viewing public with  a glimpse of the most complete and comprehensive set of Patek Philippe  timepieces exhibited outside of Switzerland. Open to the public  from Thursday, April 24, 2008 to Saturday, April 26, 2008, the  exhibition will encompass over 4,000 square feet of space designed to feature  the world of Patek Philippe and will show some 400 legendary  timepieces.
 

Patek Philippe and Tiffany &  Co. share a special relationship that is unmatched in retailing in the  United  States. The partnership began with a  handshake agreement in 1851 between the companies’ founders Antoine Norbert de  Patek and Charles Lewis Tiffany. That agreement, based on shared principles of  trust and integrity, fostered a relationship that continues to promote the  highest standards of excellence.



The two companies have much in  common. Established only two years apart — Tiffany in 1837 and Patek Philippe  in 1839 — both were founded on an uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship.  The success of both companies is owed to this ongoing commitment to provide  customers with the finest quality and outstanding customer  service.



The Patek Philippe salon at Tiffany &  Co. joins four existing Patek Philippe salons located in Geneva, London, Paris and Shanghai.

Source: Tiffany & Co.

For additional information, please visit


www.tiffany.com
www.patek.com