The Crow and the Fox

With Reference 5249R-001, Patek Philippe enriches its collection with an extraordinary creation that uniquely combines haute horlogerie and rare decorative crafts. This new wristwatch reinterprets one of the most fascinating pieces preserved in the Patek Philippe Museum: the legendary 1958 pocket watch The Crow and the Fox. Inspired by Jean de La Fontaine’s celebrated fable, the Manufacture transforms timekeeping into a poetic performance while introducing the first automaton in its modern history and the first contemporary Patek Philippe wristwatch featuring an on-demand display of the hours and minutes.

At the heart of the watch is an intricately crafted scene that brings the fable’s iconic protagonists to life. At first glance, the dial appears as a finely executed work of art in gold, distinguished by delicate engraving, sculptural appliqués and remarkable depth. The spectacle begins only when the pusher at 2 o’clock is activated: the fox raises its paw and snout to indicate the hours, while the crow releases its piece of cheese, which simultaneously serves as a retrograde minute hand. Once the time has been read, the moving elements return to their original positions, leaving the scene frozen in place until the next activation.

This reinterpretation draws on the creative vision of the historic pocket watch originally developed by the renowned Geneva watchmaker Louis Cottier. His concept, which never entered serial production, combined mechanical ingenuity with an unusually narrative approach to displaying time. With Reference 5249R-001, Patek Philippe brings this idea to a modern wristwatch for the very first time, demonstrating the enduring relevance of visionary watchmaking.

Particular attention has been devoted to the dial’s elaborate decoration. Crafted from gold in a warm, opaline Matara hue, it features numerous hand-engraved appliqués in yellow and rose gold. Every component is finished with exceptional precision and care. The delicate depictions of the crow, the fox and the surrounding foliage create an extraordinary sense of depth and lend the watch its unmistakable character. Even functional elements such as the fox’s paw and snout are meticulously engraved by hand while being engineered to ensure that the precision of the mechanism remains uncompromised.