Question 1

Who is Patek Philippe?

Accepted Answer

Patek Philippe is the name of a leading Swiss watchmaker (it’s a company, not a person). The house was founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish expats Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek. Czapek left the firm, and in 1845, Patek partnered with French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe. Patek Philippe began operating under its current name on January 1, 1851. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Patek Philippe watches.

Question 2

Where is Patek Philippe made?

Accepted Answer

Patek Philippe watches are made in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland. The family-owned company maintains a completely independent manufacturing process, including research, design, production and assembly. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary Patek Philippe watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What is the cheapest Patek Philippe?

Accepted Answer

Some of the less expensive Patek Philippe watches are priced between $19,000 and $30,000 USD. Within this price range, buyers can choose from Calatrava, Nautilus and Aquanaut. There are plenty of Patek Philippe watches to choose from on 1stDibs.

Question 4

What is special about Patek Philippe?

Accepted Answer

What is so special about Patek Philippe comes down mostly to the quality of the timepieces that the watchmaker produces. Skilled artisans make each watch entirely by hand, with a process that can take nine months for a very basic timepiece or up to two years for highly complex watches. The Swiss watchmaker also uses fine materials like precious metals and has a reputation for engineering very precise movements for timekeeping. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Patek Philippe watches.

Question 5

How is a Patek Philippe made?

Accepted Answer

A Patek Philippe watch is made entirely by hand. More than 250 parts go into each timepiece, and the brand produces all of them in-house. Skilled artisans carefully assemble the pieces at individual workstations, and every watch goes through a rigorous quality control inspection. It usually takes the company one year to make each watch. Shop a collection of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

Question 6

How do you pronounce Patek Philippe?

Accepted Answer

Patek Philippe is pronounced PA-tek FEE-leep. The brand name comes from the surnames of two of its founders: the Polish watchmaker Antoni Patek and the French watchmaker Adrien Philippe. Patek Philippe began operating under its current name on January 1, 1851. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Patek Philippe watches.

Question 7

Is Patek Philippe a Rolex?

Accepted Answer

No, Patek Philippe is not a Rolex. They are actually two different luxury watchmakers from Geneva, Switzerland. Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis founded Rolex in 1905, while Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe established Patek Philippe in 1839. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of watches from some of the world's top dealers.

Question 8

Which Patek Philippe Nautilus should I buy?

Accepted Answer

Which Patek Philippe Nautilus watch you should buy is up to you. The blue-dial Nautilus 5711/1A is an incredibly popular model, especially as blue-dial watches are hot among collectors and fashion lovers right now. The Nautilus 5712R-001, with its alluring rose gold finish, is also a top model.

The celebrated accessory is just one of the myriad watches conceived by brilliant Swiss watchmaker Gérald Genta for Patek Philippe. Genta designed some of the most striking timepieces of the 20th century. The original Nautilus, which debuted in 1976, featured an integrated steel bracelet, an octagonal bezel with rounded corners and a dial decked out in a horizontal embossed pattern.

Find vintage Patek Philippe Nautilus watches on 1stDibs.

Question 9

How long will a Patek Philippe last?

Accepted Answer

A Patek Philippe watch can last anywhere from four to eight years, depending on the complexity of the movement of the watch. But as long as the watch is serviced and properly cared for, any luxury watch will last a lifetime. On 1stDibs, find vintage and modern Patek Philippe pieces.

Question 10

How do I manually wind a Patek Philippe?

Accepted Answer

To manually wind your Patek Philippe watch, locate the crown and rotate it clockwise 30 to 40 times. Stop as soon as you feel resistance to avoid overwinding — this is important, as overwinding can potentially damage your watch. Find an assortment of vintage manual Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

Question 11

How can I tell if a Patek Philippe is fake?

Accepted Answer

To tell if your Patek Philippe is fake, look closely at the dial. Any flaw on the dial is evidence of fakery. Are the numbers in the right font? Are the hands the right style and length? Experts recommend that you examine a watch you're considering using a loupe and compare it with the same model in a reference book or auction catalogue.

Created in-house and by hand, real Patek Philippe cases will feel substantial. There will be nothing slight or irregular about them.

For more info, visit the official 1stDibs guide to spotting a fake Patek Philippe watch.

Find vintage Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

Question 12

Is Patek Philippe older than Rolex?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Patek Philippe is older than Rolex. The Swiss luxury watchmaker opened in Geneva in 1839. Rolex was founded 66 years later in 1905 in London, UK. In 1908, Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A. On 1stDibs, shop a range of vintage Patek Philippe watches and Rolex watches from some of the world’s top sellers.

Question 13

Are there fake Patek Philippe watches?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are fake Patek Philippe watches. One way to identify an authentic timepiece produced by the Swiss watchmaker is to examine the back of its case. Patek Philippe doesn't put reference or serial numbers on the case backs, but many fakes will display them. On a real Patek Philippe timepiece, you'll see either a Geneva seal or the Patek Philippe logo, which is a double P. You will usually also find markings that identify the type of material it is made from. If you're unsure of the authenticity of a particular piece, seek input from a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of Patek Philippe watches.

Question 14

Can you buy Patek Philippe at retail?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can buy Patek Philippe at retailers located around the world. The luxury Swiss watchmaker's official website has a search tool to help you find an authorized dealer near you. In addition, some trusted online platforms also offer Patek Philippe timepieces. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Patek Philippe watches.

Question 15

Is Patek Philippe made of gold?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many Patek Philippe watches are made of gold. The Swiss luxury watchmaker uses white gold, rose gold and yellow gold to craft cases. In addition, you can find stainless steel and platinum timepieces in its collection. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of Patek Philippe watches from some of the world's top dealers.

Question 16

Do Patek Philippe watches have gold?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some Patek Philippe watches feature gold. The Swiss luxury watchmaker frequently works with white, yellow and rose gold for its alluring timepieces. Additionally, there are Patek Philippe watches made with platinum and combinations of precious metals. Explore a diverse assortment of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

Question 17

Which country owns Patek Philippe?

Accepted Answer

No country owns Patek Philippe. The luxury watchmaker, which was founded in 1839, is privately owned. However, some Patek Philippe watches bear the word “Genève.” This indicates that the watch was made in Geneva, Switzerland, not that the Swiss government owns the brand. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Patek Philippe watches from some of the world's top dealers.

Question 18

How do I set a Patek Philippe watch?

Accepted Answer

To set a Patek Philippe watch, pull the crown out to its farthest setting when the second hand hits the 12:00 mark. The second hand will stop, and you can set the time by turning the crown until the watch shows the right time. Then, push the crown back in, and the watch is set. On 1stDibs, find vintage and modern Patek Philippe from top sellers worldwide.

Question 19

Does Patek Philippe have a women’s watch?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Patek Philippe does have women's watches available for sale. The brand's signature Nautilus timepiece comes in a slimmer silhouette intended for women. In addition, the brand offers the Twenty~4 Automatic collection exclusively for women. These watches are available in stainless steel and rose gold. Most models feature genuine diamond accents. Shop a range of Patek Philippe women's watches on 1stDibs.

Question 20

Can I get a Patek Philippe Aquanaut?

Accepted Answer

Whether or not you can get a Patek Philippe Aquanaut depends on availability. The luxury Swiss watchmaker produces only a limited quantity, and the watch is very popular. As a result, authorized Patek Philippe retailers may sell out quickly. Alternatively, you can shop various reputable online platforms for the timepiece. You'll find a variety of Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches on 1stDibs.

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