Photo Gallery: Inside the Patek Philippe Art of Watches Grand Exhibition

Watch Journal Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Bues talks to Michael Fratangelo, a Patek Philippe executive. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

It’s no secret that Patek Philippe’s Art of Watches Grand Exhibition is the summer’s most anticipated horological event. The brand flew over 450 timepieces from its Geneva museum to the heart of Manhattan where they will be on view from July 13th to the 23rd. Earlier this morning, Watch Journal led an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour with a select group of collectors.

If you aren’t able to make it to the Big Apple for this once-in-a-lifetime event, no need to worry because we’ll be providing updates throughout the exhibition’s runtime. Here, our photographer catalogued the very best of what we saw this morning.

Jonathan Bues and Surface Media CEO Marc Lotenberg take in some of the watches on display. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Watch Journal collectors had the opportunity to meet Patek Philippe executives that led various areas of the guided tour. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Marc Lotenberg and Watch Journal collector Stephen Sadove check out the watches in the Museum Room. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Jonathan Bues, Watch Journal Publisher Katie Reed, and a collector. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

The massive build out takes up the entirety of Cipriani’s 42nd Street event space. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Dr. Peter Freiss, curator for the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, was one of the many brand representatives on hand to educate guests. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

An A. Lange & Söhne Lange One limited edition timepiece on the wrist of Watch Journal collector Stephen Sadove. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

The Patek Philippe Gondolo Ref. 5098P on the wrist of a collector. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

One of the many vintage timepieces on display. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Katie Reed tries out the virtual reality watchmaking experience. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

A vintage Patek Philippe desk clock once owned by President John F. Kennedy. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Marc Lotenberg tries out the virtual reality watchmaking experience. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Vintage timepieces on display. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

An astronomical pocket watch by Patek Philippe. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

The ultra-complicated James Ward Packard pocket watch from 1927. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Various watches on display. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

The event is expected to attract over 20,000 visitors from around the world. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Watchmakers were on hand to provide demonstrations. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

A Patek Philippe watchmaker at his bench. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

The Current Collection room displays the brand’s 2017 novelties. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

A pocket watch originally made for Queen Victoria. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

More highly-complicated pocket watches on display. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Entrance to the exhibition. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

At the exhibition’s reception. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Ten rooms spread over two floors explore the brand’s history. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

A pocket watch once owned by the founder of Jack Daniels. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Informative displays are as plentiful as live demonstrations at the exhibition. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Patek Philippe brand representatives and guides are available in every room to educate. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Surface Media)

Learn more about the Patek Philippe Art of Watches Grand Exhibition here.

Check out Watch Journal’s official preview of the exhibition here.