Patek Philippe & Cortina Watch
A lasting partnership began over sixty years ago when Mr. Anthony Lim met Mr. Henri Stern and Mr. Philippe Stern. What began with mechanical timepieces from Plan-les-Ouates evolved into a legacy of kinship, passed down through generations, transcending business to become a bond rooted in family.
“It was 68 years ago since I first met with Mr. Henri Stern and Mr. Philippe Stern. Two families, three generations of friendship, it is a bond that we truly cherish.”
– Founder of Cortina Watch, Mr. Anthony Lim.
The year 1956 marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship that transcends business relationships and become familial in the forge of time, with a bond so tight despite the cultural differences.
The First Patek Philippe Authorized Retailer
The 1970s was a period of disruption for the Swiss mechanical watch industry. Nevertheless, the two like-minded family-owned companies kept their course. Mr. Stern deepened his investment and production of mechanical calibres, keeping fidelity to the art of fine watchmaking, while Mr. Anthony Lim established Cortina Watch in 1972 emphasizing on mechanical watches, and subsequently became the first Singapore authorized retailer for Patek Philippe in 1978.
A Time of Perseverance and Strategic Planning
The close relationship and steadfast mannerism of both respective company heads and heads of family saw them through the halcyon years of the 1980s, a time of economic disruption and market correction.
Exclusive Boutique Concept
In the 2000s, Mr. Raymond Lim, the eldest son of Mr. Anthony Lim, was instrumental in pioneering the shop-in-shop concept in Singapore’s up and coming new malls like Paragon, Raffles City and Millenia Walk. The success of these boutiques would eventually lay the groundwork for stand-alone Patek Philippe boutiques in the little red dot.
Opening of the Patek Philippe Boutique
Even in times of the global financial crisis (2007-2008), both young heirs of the families, Mr. Thierry Stern and Mr. Jeremy Lim, share simpatico world views and such resilient bond that when Jeremy mooted the idea to open a Patek Philippe boutique at the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, it was proceeded on the foundation of trust and faith in 2010.
Expansion of Footprint in Asia
This treasured relationship allowed Cortina Watch to expand Patek Philippe’s foothold in Southeast Asia: running six specialist boutiques across the regions; and facilitated the expansion of Patek Philippe’s ION Orchard in 2016, making it the largest Patek Philippe boutique in Southeast Asia. With its private rooms and VIP lounges, it can easily be considered Singapore’s answer to the famed Geneva salon.
A Testimony in the Form of a Timepiece
Special bonds encourage special tribute editions. In 1997, Mr. Philippe Stern proposed the idea for a Ref. 5057 as an anniversary piece in celebration of Cortina Watch’s 25th Jubilee.
Produced in a limited edition of 100 pieces, the Patek Philippe Cortina Jubilee 5057R 18K Rose Gold Limited Edition Automatic was not just acknowledgement of one of the most prominent watch retailers in the country, but also recognition between two dignified gentlemen who had seen their fortunes rise in concert with each other.
A Watch Speaks Louder Than Words
In 2015, Mr. Philippe Stern himself made a special trip to Singapore to celebrate Mr Anthony Lim’s 80th Birthday, presenting a white gold Calatrava Ref. 5227 featuring providential engraving on the case back: “Happy 80th Birthday, Philippe et Thierry Stern”.
Six Decades and Counting
From father to son, the treasures ultimately lay not so much in the “breathing” escapements of the mechanical timepieces birthed from Plan-les-Ouates, instead, it’s a legacy beyond brass and steel, transcending business relationships, grounded in the beating hearts of kinship, from one generation to the next.
A Special Commemoration
25 years after Patek Philippe created a special edition Ref. 5057 for Cortina Watch, the two partners decided to celebrate the retailer’s 50th anniversary with a new limited edition watch based on the original model in 1997, with a contemporary design.
For this jubilee moment, Patek Philippe further presented a unique Dome Clock, featuring Singapore’s urban landscape in a complex splash of 50 enamel colours with a firework display on the dome.
