In his painting, ' Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time', the artist Bronzino, presents us with an intricate, delectable, allegorical statement. The idea of the picture is that love, plagued by other emotions, is foolish, and its folly will be discovered in time. The painting is graceful, charming and sensuous. Smooth and classical contours project a surface of enamelled perfection ... Its subject is eternal.

There is nothing allegorical in the unambiguous, elegant and exquisitely beautiful Patek-Philippe timepiece, yet, common denominators do exist between the watchmaker and the painter. This is perceived in the delicacy of design, the ingenious simplicity of concept and the interest and importance of time, as demonstrated and presented in quite different creative manners. As in the case of 'love', a Patek-Philippe watch is also eternal.

Man has been fascinated by the passage of time, from the ancient observations of the apparent movements of the sun and moon, at Stonehenge, to the microcosmic mechanisms that propel the most miniaturised wristwatch, in tight and accurate order. Some, sit and listen to its passing, while others pace their lives, regulated by its relentless forward march.

In today's throw-away society there is an ever expanding market for the 'disposable', the 'most popular', or the 'fun-style', item, none of which are designed to last. In this our experimental and fast-paced century, we are fortunate to enjoy a tangible reminder of more permanent, traditional and classical ideals, in masterpieces produced by renowned watchmaker, Patek-Phillipe, custodian of style, quality and artistic merit. Patek-Philippe have been faithful to the ideals of perfection and classicism for over 150 years.