Largest Patek Philippe
Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
18k Gold
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Swiss Regency Wrist Watches
Jade, Brass
Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
18k Gold
People Also Browsed
1960s Dress and Coat Ensembles
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s French Clip-on Earrings
Platinum
20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
Yellow Gold
20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
Vintage 1980s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches
Gold
Early 2000s Wrist Watches
Rose Gold
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
Early 2000s Italian Coats and Outerwear
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
Diamond, White Diamond, Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Blue Diamond
Vintage 1960s Wrist Watches
Yellow Gold
Largest Patek Philippe For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Largest Patek Philippe?
Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Wrist-watches for You
Antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches have captured the hearts and minds of all manner of watch collectors as well as the watchmakers themselves — it's time you found your own.
Certain vintage watches for men and iconic watch designs for women are sought after not only because of their graceful proportions or innovative materials but also because of the illustrious histories of the houses that created them, histories that they stylishly embody.
Bulgari’s legendary Serpenti watch was on everyone’s list after the collection’s bold bracelet, which technically debuted after the timepiece, graced the wrist of actress Elizabeth Taylor. If anything, elaborately crafted timepieces — the unmistakably boxy silhouette of Cartier Tank watches, the elegant and minimal Calatrava designed by legendary Swiss house Patek Philippe — are even more effective than the shape we associate with traditional wristwatches.
Form watches — the all-encompassing moniker bestowed upon non-round watches — are making headlines and completing contemporary fashionable ensembles the world over. At the same time, both casual fans and careful collectors are drawn to the unbeatable charm of vintage styles, such as the icons designed by Omega that even James Bond can’t resist.
In the early days of watchmaking, watches were fragile enough that they necessitated protection from the elements. Now, wristwatches made of gold and steel can withstand the harshest climates — even 100 meters underwater, in the case of Rolex’s Submariner. Designer Gérald Genta, whose range of clients included Rolex, created for Audemars Piguet the first luxury sports timepiece to be made from stainless steel. First introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was a perfect choice for blending the form and function that are now synonymous with sports watches.
Are you shopping for a wristwatch? It’s good to keep your needs as well as your specific personal style in mind: A smaller, subtle timepiece is a good fit for small wrists. When will you be wearing your new accessory? There’s a versatile model out there for everyday wear, while a rugged, feature-heavy watch is a safe bet if you’re prone to embarking on all-weather activities in the great outdoors.
Find antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches for sale on 1stDibs.
- Who is Patek Philippe?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 11, 2024Patek 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 11, 2024Patek 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.
- Is Patek Philippe a Rolex?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023No, 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.
- How is a Patek Philippe made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A 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.
- Where is Patek Philippe made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Patek 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024What 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Some 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024Who 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.
- Is Patek Philippe overpriced?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024Whether 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024Whether 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024Here 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. - 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024Why 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024The 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024What 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022All 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Patek 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Adjustments 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022How 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Wearing 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.
Read More
Patek Philippe’s Calatrava Watch Is an Icon of Understated Elegance
Launched in 1932, the model has become emblematic of quality craftsmanship and timeless design.
Bulgari’s Serpenti Wristwatch Is the Power Piece of the Moment, Again
From Elizabeth Taylor to Zendaya, the Serpenti has been the accessory of choice for generations of it girls.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex: 13+ Expert Tips
Learn the devious techniques that counterfeiters use to sell inauthentic pieces at authentic prices. Of course, you don't have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where every seller of Rolex watches is highly vetted.
This Piaget Gold Nugget Watch Is the Embodiment of Delicious ’70s Excess
With a tigereye dial and a most unusual bracelet, this cuff-style piece is a singular style statement.
This Sweet Diamond Watch Has a Literary Bent
Modeled on one of the most often quoted romances of the 20th century, the book-shaped timepiece has love written all over it.
Stylish Year-Round, This Pumpkin-Colored Patek Philippe Aquanaut Feels Especially Right for Fall
Celebrate the season with a Patek watch made for enjoying the outdoors.
These Watches with 1970s, 1980s and Early Aughts Flair Are Trending Right Now
Feeling a wave of Y2K nostalgia or craving disco-era glamour? Rewind with a chic retro timepiece.