Patek Philippe Boston

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.

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.

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.

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.

Many watch lovers believe that Patek Philippe is worth the price. It shouldn’t be surprising that Patek Philippe holds the world auction record for a watch ($31.2 million for a Patek Grandmaster Chime, sold at Christie’s). Known for impeccable craftsmanship and some of the most complicated timepieces ever created, the brand is considered by many to be the height of fine watchmaking. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in Patek Philippe watches is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find Patek Philippe watches and other watches for sale on 1stDibs.

The country in which Patek Philippe is made is Switzerland. 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. Shop a large selection of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

What made Patek Philippe famous was the Swiss luxury watchmaker's incredible innovation. In 1876, Patek Philippe introduced the first-minute repeater, and in 1923, it unveiled one of the first-ever chronograph timepieces. Another significant achievement of the watchmaker was the first perpetual calendar, which debuted on a Patek Philippe watch in 1925. Shop a large collection of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

Whether or not AP is more expensive than Patek Philippe varies, as both watchmakers offer a wide range of timepieces. In terms of price points for entry-level timepieces, Audemars Piguet timepieces are often slightly less costly than those produced by Patek Philippe. The most expensive limited edition Patek Philippe watches are also often priced higher than those crafted by AP. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet watches.

The old name for Patek Philippe was Patek, Czapek & Cie. It was founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish expats Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek. After Czapek exited the firm and Patek partnered with French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe, the company was renamed Patek, Philippe & Cie in 1851. Eventually, the Cie name was dropped altogether. Shop a diverse assortment of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

Yes. Patek Philippe watches are waterproof — some more than others. In 1979, Patek Philippe devised a watch that was fully waterproof down to 120 meters, which was astonishing for the times. However, Patek Philippe dress watches aren’t designed to be in water regularly, but two of its sport watches, the Aquanaut and the Nautilus, are designed for wearing in the water, and they’re water-resistant down to 120 meters. Shop a collection of vintage and new Patek Philippe pieces from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.