1900 Patek Philippe

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.

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.

Whether or not Patek Philippe is overpriced is a matter of opinion. However, many collectors believe the Swiss watchmaker's timepieces are well worth the money due to their fine materials, expert craftsmanship and precision timekeeping. It's rumored that Patek Philippe has manufactured fewer than a million watches over its more than 175-year history. The limited supply of the company's watches, compared to their high demand, contributes to the price. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Patek Philippe watches.

Who the designer of Patek Philippe is has varied over the years. Early in the Swiss luxury watchmaker's history, its founders, Antoni Patek and Jean Adrien Philippe, served as its designers. After Patek and Philippe, the most notable designer who worked for the company was Gérald Genta, the creator of the iconic Nautilus. Other notable Patek Philippe designers include Eric Giroud, Jean-Pascal Poinçot and Gilbert Albert. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Patek Philippe watches.

Whether you can just buy a Patek Philippe watch depends on what type of timepiece you would like. Patek Philippe sells its new watches via authorized dealers, and the waitlist for purchasing one is often quite lengthy. However, you can also shop for the luxury watchmaker’s timepieces on trusted online platforms. Explore a large selection of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

Here is a brief history of Patek Philippe watches. The house was founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish expats Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek. Czapek later left the firm, and, in 1845, Patek partnered with French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe.

Catering to the glitterati of Europe, the pair counted among their clients Tolstoy, Pope Pius IX and Queen Victoria, as well as Countess Koscowicz of Hungary, for whom they created the first Swiss-made wristwatch in 1868. They also had their eye on the American market and, in 1851, entered into an arrangement with Tiffany & Co., still in effect today. During the Great Depression, brothers Jean and Charles Stern, who had previously supplied Patek Philippe with watch dials, bought the company, and it continues to be run by the Stern family today.

Under the Sterns, the house has developed some of its most famous models, including the Calatrava, an elegantly minimal dress watch introduced in 1932 and named for the Calatrava Cross (the company’s logo since 1887), and the Nautilus, the brand’s first sports watch, conceived by legendary designer Gérald Genta in 1976. Despite the house’s longevity, it’s rumored that it has manufactured fewer than a million watches, making each one all the more coveted.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Patek Philippe watches for sale.

Why it is so hard to buy a Patek Philippe watch comes down to supply and demand. Despite the house’s longevity, it’s rumored that it has manufactured fewer than a million watches. At the same time, collectors simply love Patek Philippe watches. As a result, there is usually a long waitlist for the watchmaker's new models. However, you can still find pre-owned Patek Philippe watches on trusted online platforms. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Patek Philippe watches.

The Patek Philippe Tiffany is so expensive for a few reasons. For one thing, the premium stainless steel, sapphire glass and other materials used in the collaboration watch were costly, and the labor required to handcraft them was extensive. Patek Philippe also produced only 170 of the watches, so demand is much greater than the available supply. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Patek Philippe watches.

What the most sought-after Patek Philippe model is will likely vary over time as the Swiss luxury watchmaker continues to unveil new timepieces. However, one of the rarest watches made by the company is the one-of-a-kind Grand Complication Ref. 6300A-010, which sold for $31 million at auction in 2016. Another highly sought-after watch is the Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A Tiffany Blue, a limited edition watch produced in collaboration with Tiffany & Co. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of Patek Philippe watches.

All of Patek Philippe’s watch models are collector’s items and popular in their own right. The widely coveted Nautilus sports watch line, for example, has been produced without interruption for more than four decades, but it’s hard to say which of the brand’s watches is the most popular because different models cater to different needs and preferences. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a variety of expertly-vetted vintage and contemporary Patek Philippe watches from some of the world’s top sellers.

The number of jewels in a Patek Philippe watch varies depending on the movement. For example, the 324 S C self-winding movement found in many Calatrava and Nautilus timepieces has 29 jewels, while CH 29-535 PS Q hand-wound movement used in some Grand Complications watches features 33 jewels. Consult the official Patek Philippe website for specific information about how many jewels specific watches contain. You'll find a large collection of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

Patek Philippe watches are generally considered to be exceptionally good timepieces. The brand continuously creates new technologies to expand the functionality and increase the accuracy of their designs, and artisans handcraft every watch that bares the Patel Phillipe name. Even production of the parts takes place in-house to ensure quality. Shop a wide range of Patel Phillipe watches on 1stDibs.

Adjustments on a Patek Philippe watch vary depending on the model. The crown is for winding the timepiece, and other functions are often controlled by push buttons. For specific instructions on adjustments and settings, consult the brand’s website. On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage and contemporary Patek Philippe watches.

How often you need to wind your Patek Philippe watches depends on what type of movement system it has. Normally, you’ll need to wind a mechanically wound watch every morning before you put it on. Self-winding watches receive power from your movements. Unless you don't wear your watch for a period of 36 to 48 hours or more, you should only need to wind it once before you slip it on for the first time. Explore a wide range of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

Wearing a Patek Philippe luxury wristwatch is an excellent status symbol for any aspiring celebrity or businessperson. In 1851, the Queen of England sported a Patek Philippe watch, and it increased its popularity among wealthy, high-profile people. You'll find a collection of authentic Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.