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A question about PP96 history?

Archer
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Deafboy Deafboy
That watch looks to me as an an exaggerated Swiss International or Swiss Modernist (e.g. Helveltica Font, Mondaine dial, Swiss posters of 1950's, etc.) that gives it a playful demeanour.

I used to have the same reaction as some others have had to these, but over the years I admit that I have grown to like the Silberstein watches. If nothing else but for the reminder that these are just wrist watches in the end, and that we should not take everything in life so seriously.
 
Syrte
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Tik-Tok of Oz Tik-Tok of Oz
I tended to first think of brands like Glashütte or Nomos when it comes to Bauhaus style more than PP. off topic aside: The Bauhaus influence is pretty big in my town when it comes to architecture.

Well Nomos and Glashutte drew inspiration from Bauhaus in their current designs because clearly it’s good marketing...
Edited:
 
JimInOz
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Archer Archer
Might need to check the prescription in your glasses - it's written right on the dial....Alain Silberstein.

And he does/did claim that his designed were Bauhaus "inspired"

Sorry Al, forgot to add the 😉 and the memory that triggered my comment.

FPT.png
 
Archer
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JimInOz JimInOz
Sorry Al, forgot to add the 😉 and the memory that triggered my comment.

Oh I understood the joke implied mate...
 
michael22
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I don't think press releases are a good source of truth.
 
Darlinboy
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Syrte Syrte
Okay, pal from another forum dug this up - Patek themselves are saying in a press release:
"The first version of the Calatrava was launched in 1932, inspired by the Bauhaus principle"
https://static.patek.com/pdf/pressreleases/en/2006_PatekPhilippe_Ref_5119.pdf

So now the question is whether it's true or they're surfing the hype and taking liberties with their own history.
But at least... it's a source.

Let’s just say I am highly influenced by Pyrrho of Elis in regards to the Bauhaus influence cited in this press release.
 
Vitezi
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Syrte Syrte
But at least... it's a source.
For that matter, the company's own definition of "Calatrava" is
"An emblematic and quintessentially classic Patek Philippe collection since 1932. The lines of this timeless watch with a round case for men and ladies, are directly inspired by the Bauhaus artistic movement. Featuring a bezel that may be flat, round, gem-set or adorned with a hobnail pattern, the watch itself may be ultra-thin or fitted with a cover protecting the sapphire case back."
Source: https://www.patek.com/en/glossary
 
michael22
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It would seem that PP is an example opposite to Bauhaus.Bauhaus : Philosophy
The whole mass production rather than individual craftsmanship issue.
Also, diamond hobnail pattern bezel? Give me a break.

The Calatrava dial may be beautifully simple, but really nothing else about the watch or PP evokes Bauhaus. Even the Calatrava cross is the most complicated cross ever drawn.
The suggestion that during the depression an understated show of wealth & status would be required is probably true, but it is a bit of a cynical take on Bauhaus, IMO. A bit like today's Hipsters, proudly drinking beer & coffee from third world countries, making the first world intermediary rich.
 
aap
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rcs914 rcs914
I find it interesting that "Bauhaus" when it refers to a watch is almost exclusively interchangeable with "minimalist". Considering that this is very much a Bauhaus inspired watch:

mtr_09_0502_alainsilberstein_kt_304b_01_1_688x688.jpg

This might have been inspired by The Memphis Group instead.
 
rcs914
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aap aap
This might have been inspired by The Memphis Group instead.

First I'd like to apologize to @Syrte for hijacking her thread.

I'm not particularly a fan of Silberstein's watches, and yes, they do evoke a '80s feel (even the Memphis Group look has been described as a "Shotgun wedding between Bauhaus and Fisher-Price"), but when you go back and look at the art being produced by members of the Bauhaus, it does become pretty clear that it is at least Bauhaus inspired, if not at all in the same way that is meant when someone discusses "Bauhaus" as it relates to watches today. .

The triangle, circle, square of the pushers and crown is clearly a nod to Bauhaus, and if you google "Bauhaus triangle circle square" there are LOTS of results.
bauhaus.jpg bauhaus 1968 poster.jpg


Also these drawings done by Bauhaus member's under the influence of Kandinsky:

raeumliche_wirkung_wassily_kandinsky.jpg_329062332.jpg Harvardbauhaus1.jpg


But what to me was the clearest example of how Silberstein was influenced by Bauhaus (but mainly Kandinsky) was this piece of Kandinsky's from 1923:

50.jpg


This short article also has some interesting information, which I hadn't seen previous to making my initial comment:

https://tangramatic.com.au/blogs/articles/bauhaus-in-horology
 
Darlinboy
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Clearly both are Bauhaus-inspired...

7BDEDAB7-2E75-470A-9E50-5160ACE9260C.jpeg 02DC13BC-6393-49EF-9846-8834FF6358D5.jpeg


The similarities are unmistakable. As they are in this pair...

A5ACA6DE-A35B-4F6C-B8CC-3CD33F0DEFBD.jpeg CBF65058-9481-4111-83E0-0EEE472F093D.jpeg
 
Syrte
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rcs914 rcs914
First I'd like to apologize to @Syrte for hijacking her thread.

I'm not particularly a fan of Silberstein's watches, and yes, they do evoke a '80s feel (even the Memphis Group look has been described as a "Shotgun wedding between Bauhaus and Fisher-Price"), but when you go back and look at the art being produced by members of the Bauhaus, it does become pretty clear that it is at least Bauhaus inspired, if not at all in the same way that is meant when someone discusses "Bauhaus" as it relates to watches today. .

The triangle, circle, square of the pushers and crown is clearly a nod to Bauhaus, and if you google "Bauhaus triangle circle square" there are LOTS of results.
bauhaus.jpg bauhaus 1968 poster.jpg


Also these drawings done by Bauhaus member's under the influence of Kandinsky:

raeumliche_wirkung_wassily_kandinsky.jpg_329062332.jpg Harvardbauhaus1.jpg


But what to me was the clearest example of how Silberstein was influenced by Bauhaus (but mainly Kandinsky) was this piece of Kandinsky's from 1923:

50.jpg


This short article also has some interesting information, which I hadn't seen previous to making my initial comment:

https://tangramatic.com.au/blogs/articles/bauhaus-in-horology
This doesn’t feel like a hijack at all - as any interesting input on the history of art and design to me feels on point. And you’ve even convinced me of the connection.

Just for the record, I posted a similar question on the Military Watch Ressource Forum and the Patek Philippe subforum of PuristsPro. The person who dug up the Patek press release was on MWR Forum, and I got only 2 hypothetical replies on the « Purist » forum: The point being, the most worthy and interesting discussions don’t necessarily occur where people claim legitimacy.
 
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