Patek Philippe Clocks
It shouldn’t be surprising that a 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. Collectors simply love Patek Philippe watches.
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. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
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 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 Patek watches, making each one all the more coveted. (The brand's pieces are understandably attractive to counterfeiters — make sure you know how to spot a fake Patek Philippe watch.)
Find authentic Patek Philippe watches, cufflinks, bracelets and more on 1stDibs today.
Mid-20th Century Swiss Other Patek Philippe Clocks
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Rococo Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Bronze, Enamel
1870s European Louis XV Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Bronze
19th Century French Other Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Bronze
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Ormolu
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Ormolu
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Patek Philippe Clocks
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Patek Philippe Clocks
Brass
20th Century Swiss Patek Philippe Clocks
Metal
20th Century Swiss Empire Patek Philippe Clocks
Brass
20th Century Swiss Other Patek Philippe Clocks
Brass
20th Century Swiss Other Patek Philippe Clocks
Brass
20th Century Swiss Other Patek Philippe Clocks
Metal
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Patek Philippe Clocks
Gold
1930s Swiss Romantic Vintage Patek Philippe Clocks
Gold
20th Century Swiss Other Patek Philippe Clocks
Brass
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Patek Philippe Clocks
1970s Swiss Space Age Vintage Patek Philippe Clocks
Gold
20th Century European Campaign Patek Philippe Clocks
Brass
Patek Philippe clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
- 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 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Patek Philippe watches hold their value very well due to their immense popularity among collectors. Patek Philippe is one of the world's premier watchmakers with over 150 years of experience. On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage and contemporary Patek Philippe watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Patek Philippe watches are commonly seen as the best brand for Swiss watches, particularly because of their quality, level of expertise, and value. In the manufacturing process there are often 60 steps needed even for subtle aspects which also adds to the cost.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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, 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, 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, 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 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 ExpertMarch 22, 2022Patek Philippe watches are one of the most accurate timepieces available in the luxury market today. The level of accuracy varies from watch to watch. However, every watch the brand offers is accurate by -3 to +2 seconds over a 24-hour period. On 1stDibs, find a variety of expertly vetted Patek Philippe watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023To identify a Patek Philippe watch, first locate the serial and model numbers. Depending on the timepiece, you will usually find them printed inside the case or along the interior edges. Once you have these numbers, cross-check them with trusted online resources to determine which watch you have. If you run into any difficulty, consult a licensed appraiser or knowledgeable dealer for assistance with identification. Explore a variety of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, you can change a Patek Philippe strap. The method for doing so varies by model. However, many of the Swiss watchmaker's timepieces feature a spring bar with a handle that you push to release the strap when you're ready to make a change. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Patek Phillippe watches.