matthew miller 3/8/20 matthew miller 3/8/20

When the Patek Philippe 3448 Becomes a Magical Portrait

I must begin with the Patek Philippe 3448. There are many layers to this illustration but the main product focus is on this gorgeous gold case dress watch and thus it requires top billing. And to discuss the Patek Philippe I have to step back to Baselworld and what has happened to the show in light of the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19.

Watches and Wonders Geneva cancelled their show and everyone was wondering what would happen with Baselworld. Not more than a couple days later, Baselworld announced it would postpone its show until January of 2021.

This disrupted my plans as I was anticipating exhibiting a new collection of watercolor on paper paintings of Patek Philippe watches and collectors. It was one of my more anticipated projects for 2020 and suddenly, it was gone.

I turned attention to my illustration series, ‘The Artist.’ I could point my energy to this series and include the Patek Philippe inspiration I had been gathering for some time.

Watch - Patek Philippe 3448. Perpetual Calendar in Yellow Gold.
Suit - Inspiration from Sciamat, the brother owned tailoring company from Italy.
Model - Steven Onoja. New York based, Nigerian born artist and model.
Background - A section of ‘Witches on the Way to Their Sabbath’ or ‘Visions of Faust’ originally painted by Luis Ricardo Falero

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On the dial of the watch we see the date Thursday, January 28. This is the date Baselworld has rescheduled the show for in 2021. It’s a reference for me in 10 years to look back and remember this time in history. It is a reference to COVID-19 without directly referencing the virus. In fact, my original version had the celestial hand pointing to 19.

On a more historic note, and as a tie in to the background the original release of the 3448 in the 1960’s had received, what I like to think was affectionate, the nickname ‘Flying Saucer,’ (source via A Collected Man) This gives an appropriate amount of celestial identity to this watch that it was a perfect fit for the Luis Ricardo Falero inspired background. The nickname and the moonphase together just fit too well.

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The background is drawn from a section of a painting by the Spanish artist Luis Ricardo Falero, ‘Witches on the Way to Their Sabbath’ or more simply ‘Visions of Faust.’ Luis was inspired by and captivated by astronomy. His work dealt with female nudes in relation to the cosmos, fantasy and to themes of mysticism. This all tied into his allegorical work as well as his celestial work. In reality there are more directly applicable paintings by Falero that would have matched a ‘Flying Saucer’ moonphase but none as visually compelling as ‘Visions of Faust.’

In my edition (you can see the comparison as the slideshow flips back and forth) is a loose representation. If you look back to ‘The Artist with Liverano & Liverano Styling’ illustration you can see the loose painterly treatment of the cherubs. It’s a stylistic treatment I intend to maintain throughout the series when artist backdrops are present.

Unlike the painterly backdrop I want the figure to be highly rendered while still maintaining a sense of painterliness. I found myself returning back to the visage of Steven Onoja. He has become a friend over the years and has established himself as a fashion icon.

My representation is meant to age him 10 years or so. My sense of Patek Philippe, and for that matter Sciamat (the suit that he his wearing in this illustration) is an older, more refined gentleman. He’s seen a few things in life, even if he’s not yet an old man. Since Steven is still a young man I decided to add on him more rigid features.

Because Steven could wear it well, and because it is a perfect fit for Patek Philippe I dressed our figure in Sciamat.

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Sciamat is an Italian suiting company founded by brothers Valentino and Nicola Ricci in 2002.

My description will be brief because my way with words is limited and The Rake has a wonderful article about the brand.

They are known for their exquisite quality and signature shoulder. In this slideshow you can clearly see the ‘roped’ shoulder, though that’s not a proper description for how it is actually constructed I find it the simplest way to communicate the expression of the shoulder. Read The Rake article linked above to learn more.

print sample.png — ‘The Artist’

When the Patek Philippe Becomes a Magical Portrait

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matthew miller 9/20/19 matthew miller 9/20/19

Patek Philippe in Watercolor with Revolution Watch Mag

Together with Revolution Watch magazine, I created a magical series of watercolor paintings featuring a series of five Patek Philippe watches. You will see them all below.

After weeks and what probably ended up being months we honed in on a few key images to tell the story of quality, craftsmanship and longevity that is Patek Philippe watches. Painted with Watercolor on 300lb Hot Press Paper at 11x15 inches, these depictions of engineering and precision are larger than life. Being up 10 times the size of the actual watch we have the opportunity to dig into the details, and yet being a Sunflowerman they maintain the sensibilities of a painting. We also teamed up to make all 5 original paintings available for purchase. See them here.

Patek Philippe 5172

A classy chronograph from a classic brand. I have a hard time wearing blue on my wrist even though I’m often wearing blue suits and blue blazers. Maybe it just feels like too much blue for me. Even my eyes are blue.

Of itself this piece is majestic with the blue on the dial and the strap. The lume on the Arabic numerals plus the white around the dial and sub-dials ease the color intensity. It’s like watching the sun set on a stormy sea.

The stepped lugs of the white gold case are like the cliff side stairs leading down to the enclosed cove or the steps from your villa that lead to the sea-gazing gazebo on your private island - you do you. Perhaps cove is more appropriate than villa considering the more sporty styling of this chronograph.

Patek Philippe 5231J

The Cloisonne´ (say it out loud) Enamel dial World Timer, 5231. I just say World Timer with the cool craft painted dial, so I’m not heard pronouncing Cloisonne´ out loud.

As for the painting it’s an opportunity to step outside of simply ogling the wonderful complication and ornate dial and step out into the world in which it will exist. There is a wrist out there that it may one day belong to. Stepping even further out we enter the world of metaphor. The dark navy blue suit is the vastness of the universe in which Earth resides. The wrist belongs to Atlas, on whom the weight of the world is rested. Our world is bound by time which is the very weight that persists in Atlas’ eternal struggle. Are we Atlas? Are we bound by the weight of time?

But this is about watches and watercolor and the magic of human creativity. This is about how the watch makes you feel like a captain of the open ocean. The year is 1500 and you’re sailing the seven seas in search of new worlds and new treasures. The weight of the world rests beneath you while you glide along its surfaces. And yet the treasure was with you all along. On your wrist is $150,000.

Patek Philippe 5212

A young pup will make you feel young again, or just tire you out but let’s go with young again. That’s what the letters on the 5212 will make you feel as well. Hand written for a young and fun approach to the dial.

I can tell you about the letters or I can express the idea of the letters through illustration. That’s just what Revolution let me do with this young professional and exuberant pup. A Calendar Watch to mark down the days of joy with your favorite companion. A classic to pass down from generation to generation. And a grey jacket to mimic the body of steel because who doesn’t like steel?

This is the type of watch I could wear anytime, anywhere. I might feel the need to switch out the light brown strap for evening occasions but otherwise it seems wonderful as is. Simple in approach, sleek in design and with enough detail on the dial to keep you satisfied, but not bored.

Patek Philippe 6300G

Patek Philippe 6300 watercolor illustration by Sunflowerman for Revolution Watch magazine

I think now that the man should have been a member of the blue man group. It ticks more boxes for the imagery. Blue dial/blue face, musical watch/musical performer. Well maybe it’s just those two comparisons.

However I do love the comparison between this and the 5212. The 5212 is playful and youthful whereas the Grandmaster Chime is about expertise, age, maturity, expression of accrued knowledge and skill. Though not as expensive or as time consuming to produce as the original Grandmaster Chime this 6300G is working with the same interior hardware. here we have a fully adult canine. She’s gorgeous and full of life- and cold as ice.

The first Grandmaster Chime was 1 of 7. What a collector’s item!
Then they made another series. Then another. Cold as ice, Patek. Cold as ice.

Patek Philippe 5520P

Patek Philippe 5520 watercolor illustration by Sunflowerman for Revolution Magazine

Symmetry is beauty. The 5520 is all about that symmetry. And doesn’t the saying go, ‘texture is next to godliness.’ That strap is all about texture (especially in the amazing execution of this painting ;D).

I love the prominence of the Arabic numerals on the dial. Applied, so they raise from the surface of the black dial, large in presentation so command attention, and lumed so they carry a certain glow at all times. The local and home am/pm indicators are small and don’t draw much attention. They’re delicate labels are balanced with the delicate markers ringing the outer edge of the dial - again pushing the numerals forward in attention. It’s like an Olympic gymnast teetering atop a tight rope, the winding hands lilting the balance to and fro all the while the gymnast continues her advance.

The 4 crowns standing guard around the case are the most obvious sign of the complexity of the complication. The 4 miniature displays along with the calendar sub dial and the digital display help to support the assumption. I honestly wouldn’t care if they served a purpose because I love the look, but it’s Patek so of course everything does something.