Patek Philippe Plans Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan For 2026
For more than a decade, Patek Philippe’s Grand Exhibitions have served as immersive gateways into one of watchmaking’s most revered maisons. Staged only occasionally and always with great intention, these exhibitions go far beyond a traditional brand showcase. Instead, they offer a rare opportunity to experience how art, precision, heritage, and culture converge within the world of haute horlogerie.
Since 2012, Patek Philippe has hosted Grand Exhibitions around the globe—from Dubai to New York, Munich, London, Tokyo, Singapore, and now Milan. With each new destination, the manufacture reinforces its belief that fine watchmaking is not only about measuring time, but about preserving human creativity and craftsmanship at the highest level.
Having traveled to several past Grand Exhibitions, I can say with certainty that no two experiences are ever the same. Each visit feels like being a child in a candy store—only on a far grander and more refined scale. From museum-selected historical masterpieces and newly unveiled innovations to patented technologies and meticulously designed exhibition spaces, there is always something unexpected to discover. The depth of storytelling, the artistry on display, and the sheer ambition behind these events never cease to amaze. With that history in mind, there is little doubt that Milan will deliver an experience every bit as compelling.
The Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan is scheduled to run from October 2 to 18, 2026, and, as with previous editions, will be free and open to the public. This seventh Grand Exhibition will take place at the Palazzo delle Scintille—recently renamed CityOval—a domed landmark built more than a century ago and designed by architect Paolo Vietti Violi. Its Art Deco character and historic significance make it a fitting and evocative setting for such an ambitious cultural undertaking.
Spanning nearly 10,000 square feet, the Milan exhibition will be the largest Watch Art presentation Patek Philippe has ever organized. The space will be divided into themed sections dedicated to history, art, technical innovation, and contemporary watchmaking, allowing visitors to move fluidly through the many facets of the brand’s universe.
Patek Philippe Plans Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan Foor 2026
As has become tradition, Patek Philippe will unveil new creations developed specifically in tribute to the host city and country. If past exhibitions are any indication, these pieces are likely to incorporate newly developed—and potentially patented—technical solutions. Master artisans and watchmakers will also be present throughout the exhibition, offering live demonstrations that highlight the painstaking skill and dedication behind each finished timepiece.
Complementing the new releases will be an extensive presentation of historical achievements drawn from the manufacture’s storied past. According to Patek Philippe, approximately 500 timepieces and objets d’art will be displayed. For enthusiasts of the brand’s rare handcrafts—ranging from marquetry and miniature painting to cloisonné enamel and gem-setting—entire rooms will be devoted to domed table clocks, pocket watches, pendants, and wristwatches.
For those drawn to mechanical innovation, a dedicated gallery will explore the brand’s advances in movement technology and high complication watchmaking. Tourbillons, astronomical indications, chronographs, and other technical milestones will be explained in depth, often accompanied by demonstrations from master watchmakers. One space, titled Master of Sound, will focus on minute repeaters, including the celebrated Grandmaster Chime. Chiming watches remain especially close to the heart of Patek Philippe president Thierry Stern, who personally listens to every repeater to ensure tonal clarity, balance, and harmony.
Bringing such an exhibition to life is no small undertaking. Beyond transporting new creations, Patek Philippe must carefully select and safeguard extraordinary pieces from its Antique Collection—many of which typically reside in the Geneva museum. Some date back to the 16th century and represent the very foundations of portable timekeeping. Their presence in Milan underscores the immense trust the brand places in the exhibition format, and its commitment to sharing watchmaking history with a wider audience.
Enamel artist Anita Porchet shows off her work in sketches at the previous Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition in Singapore 2019.
