Introducing Phillips Presents the 1952 Observatory Dial

A unique three-way collaboration, featuring a wonderful wristwatch inspired by vintage watches. This collaboration is led by the Phillips Auction House, the Massena Lab company, and the masterful touch of the independent watchmaker Raúl Pagès, who a few weeks ago was crowned with the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for his distinctive RP1 watch. The watch, whose design is inspired by a historical watch, in a very modern way, benefits from the technical foundation laid by Massena Lab and Raúl Pagès through their first collaboration, which was in 2022 with the Magrave wristwatch, which achieved great success.

The watch epitomizes Massena's distinctive inspirations, a theme echoed in various collaborative models before. Crafted by Massena LAB, the case features a refined vintage silhouette characterized by its iconic stepped bezel and an overall design reminiscent of the 1930s/1940s era. Constructed from durable 316L stainless steel.

It measures a modest 38.5mm in diameter and 10mm in height, showcasing a blend of brushed and polished surfaces. The case is framed by sapphire crystals, and it boasts a water resistance rating of 50 meters.

The dial draws inspiration from the Observatory-grade Patek Philippe Ref. 2458 wristwatch, a rare masterpiece commissioned in platinum for the esteemed collector and lawyer Joe Ben “J.B.” Champion, Jr. in 1952. Featuring a two-tone grey dial adorned with applied indexes and yellow gold Arabic numerals at 12 and 6, it houses a subdial for small seconds positioned at 9 o'clock. This design exhibits a slightly more contemporary aesthetic when compared to the traditional Observatory Dial format.

The watch's use of the initial Massena LAB proprietary movement marks a significant milestone. Developed under the expert guidance of Raúl Pagès, the Caliber M660 boasts a substantial hand-wound design. Operating at 4Hz, it offers a generous 60-hour power reserve. It features an impressive level of traditional hand-decoration, starting with the plate adorned with Côtes de Genève finishing, alongside meticulously hand-chamfered plates and bridges, exemplifying precision and craftsmanship.

The 1952 Observatory Dial Limited Edition wristwatch has been produced in an exclusive run of exactly 99 timepieces. All watches will be available for purchase exclusively through Phillips for CHF 8,800, which is equivalent to 35,400 AED.

For more information, please visit the official Phillips website.