World class artist and enameler, Anita Porchet produces some of the most sought-after, decorated timepieces in the world. In this exclusive interview with Carlos Torres, Anita speaks candidly and eloquently about her craft and the future of the art of enameling in the watch world. We learn about the challenge of creating a miniature work of art on the tiny surface of a pocket watch or watch dial. Anita speaks openly about how as an artist she is constantly learning, researching, and creating, and how she deals with the pressure of a mistake that can ruin months of intense work. We also learn about her work for Patek Philippe and why she believes that “this house has the best enamel heritage in the world.” She credits Philippe Stern’s for not thinking only of “short term profitability” and how he continued to support enamelers and their work during many years when there was no demand. She quotes him as saying, “I can’t deny work to these enamelers just because I’m not selling it. One day there might be a comeback and the know-how will be lost." Philippe Stern has also enabled Anita to share her craft with others, helping her expand her workshop to host pupils. Most extraordinarily, he left Anita free to work for other houses so that she could continue to enhance her knowledge and skills, free to express herself and remain independent.

Born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Anita was only 12 years old when her godfather introduced her to the century’s old art of miniature enameling. In 1984, she obtained her diploma from the School of Applied arts and then went to study fine arts in Lausanne, requesting to study enameling and engraving in her final year. She was literally learning a trade at the brink of extinction. Today, the epicenter of her world is a jeweler’s work bench at her home atelier, a gift for her 20th birthday.

It is a great honor for Collectability to bring you this interview with Anita Porchet. Anita speaks in French and her voice is translated into English for the purpose of this podcast.

Two of the most popular watches, the Nautilus and the Royal Oak were designed by one man, Gérald Genta. In this fascinating conversation with his wife, Evelyne Genta, John Reardon discovers how their partnership resulted in some of the most important watch designs in modern watchmaking history. Equally impressive is her own distinguished career. Since 2011, Her Excellency Madame Evelyne Genta has held the prestigious position as The Ambassador, Monaco embassy to United Kingdom. Born in Monaco, she was educated in London and has lived there for the past 15 years. 

Between 1983 and 1999, Evelyne and her husband ran the watch brand Gérald Genta. During this exciting and extremely innovative period, Evelyne managed two factories in Switzerland with 250 employees while developing new markets in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

This spring, Sotheby’s is auctioning off a selection of Gérald Genta’s paintings, including his original 1970 painting of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and his 1976 painting of the Patek Philippe Nautilus. In total, 100 pieces, personally selected by Madame Genta and her daughter Alexia from his treasure trove of over 3,200 works will be sold. Importantly, Sotheby’s is selling each painting with an NFT which protects authentication and ownership. The sale is in honor of the 10th anniversary of the death of Gérald Genta and proceeds of the sale will go to the Gérald Genta Heritage Association of which Evelyne Genta is President and Chairperson.

Selecting which artworks to auction was a monumental task. Gérald Genta’s prolific design portfolio includes designs for all the great watchmakers: in addition to his iconic Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet and the Nautilus for Patek Philippe, he designed the SAS Polarouter for Universal Genève at the age of 23, The Constellation for Omega in 1959, The Ingenieur for IWC in 1976 and countless others for watchmakers such as Piaget, Cartier, Corum, Hermès to name but a few. In this Collectability Podcast, we learn how the pieces were selected for auction and hear extraordinary stories about the legend himself and the exciting life Gérald and Evelyne had during their 33 years of marriage.

For more information on Sotheby's auction of Gérald Genta's work please go to https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/gerald-genta-icon-of-time

Ryan Chong's career in the watch industry is relatively short, but he is already making a mark having recently been listed on Watchonista's 30 under 30(ish) as one of the brightest and youngest breaking down barriers and reinventing the industry for the better. Having worked in the watch departments of both Christie's and Sotheby's, Ryan is well placed to launch one of the most exciting new platforms in the watch world: Bezel. John Reardon enjoys an informative and fun conversation with his former colleague at Christie's, and learns how Bezel will change the way we buy watches.

Nathalie Marielloni has had an extraordinary career in horology. It has taken her to some of the most important watchmaking related museums in the world: the Patek Philippe Museum, Museum of Art and History Geneva and the International Watchmaking Museum (MIH) in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Her career is a clear reflection of where her passion lies as she has mastered the demanding Swiss watchmaking school WOSTEP, is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, and has even been awarded the title of Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers following the successful sale of the George Daniels collection which she curated during her time at Sotheby's, London. As charming as she is accomplished, her conversation with Carlos Torres offers an insight into how a relatively short career so far has garnered a fascinating resume that would be hard to match in the watchmaking world. 

In our most diverse interview yet, Collectability's John Reardon and venture investor Ryan Zurrer explore the intersection of art, NFTs, watch collecting and saving the world. Last year, Ryan Zurrer garnered international media attention when he paid $29 million for Beeple's kinetic video sculpture, Human One. Here he explains why and the future importance of NFTs in every aspect of our lives, as well as the art and watch industries. Ryan Zurrer's captivating career has spanned future technologies from renewable energy to crypto, yet he is also a distinguished collector of vintage Patek Philippe watches, particularly Gondolo pocket watches and early wristwatches. Zurrer explains why he collects from both the past and the future, and his assertion that Patek Philippe vintage watches are a good store of value. He also explains why he believes that mental health is the biggest problem on the planet and why he has invested in psychedelic therapy in a mission to provide a tool that can help many people.

#patekphilippe #vintagepatek #chronometrogondolo #NFT #Technologist #cryptocurrency #ryanzurrer #beeple #humanone #digitalart #psychodelics

Carlos Torres interviews independent Danish watchmaker Christian Lass who spent a decade as Master watchmaker at the Patek Philippe Museum, Geneva. Inspired to become a watchmaker by reading 'Watchmaking' by George Daniels, Lass apprenticed with Søren Anderson after watchmaking school, and then Vianney Halter who taught him how to make a watch from scratch. It was through his friend Philippe Dufour that he heard about a rare opening at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. During his time with Patek Philippe, he had the privilege to work on legendary timepieces such as the ref. 2499 and the Graves Supercomplication. After returning to his native Denmark, Christian Lass made his dream come true and started his own watchmaking company.

Discover the inner workings of the watch auction industry with this unedited and unforgettable discussion between John Reardon and Eric Wind who recall the ups and downs of their own experience working at auction houses and offer listeners an inside peek behind the rostrum.

Known within collecting circles as 'The Big Boss', Davide Parmegiani has brought and sold the most important and valuable Patek Philippe watches since he became a dealer in the 1980s. To put this into perspective, each one of the known Patek Philippe steel ref. 1518 watches has been through his hands! In 2019, his career expanded further when he became co-chair of Monaco Legend Auctions. In this candid interview, John Reardon discusses the past, present and future of collecting watches.

Jasem runs the number one Patek Philippe fan page on Instagram which he founded in 2015. Known as brutally honest, fearless and occasionally controversial, Jasem has established himself as a global opinion-shaper, market-predictor and Patek-obsessed collector. In addition to @patekaholic, Jasem has launched @patekonomics and patekaholic.com in his quest to share his passion for all things Patek Philippe, and occasionally other fine watches. In this conversation with John Reardon, Jasem is given free-range to candidly discuss his feelings on the current Patek Philippe market, and where he sees the collectors market developing in the future.

Beyer Chronometrie holds the unique position as Patek Philippe's longest retailer relationship in the world having sold its watches since the 1840s. René Beyer has personally worked with four generations of the Stern family who owns Patek Philippe, and regards the current president, Thierry Stern as a brother. In this interview with Carlos Torres, René discusses his family's unique relationship with Patek Philippe, and how Beyer has developed its own world class museum and restoration and repair center.