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.
14k Clasp Yellow Gold Thick Ornated Watch Chain/Toggle Necklace/Antique
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Material: 14k Yellow Gold Weight: 51.1 grams Length: 16.75 inches Dimensions: Link 7.2 mm; Toggle Bar 50mm long; Clasp 23.3 mm x 8.4 mm Beautiful ornated late Victorian oversized wa...
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 9K Yellow Gold Longuard Chain Necklace, Circa 1900, 28.05g
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 9 karat yellow gold longuard chain necklace; part of our diverse antique gold chains collection. This exceptional, fine and impressive antique longuard...
Yellow Gold
Antique 18k Yellow Gold Watch Chain, Circa 1900, 29.66g, Unisex
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 18 karat yellow gold watch chain; part of our diverse collection of antique chains. This fine and impressive antique watch chain has been crafted in 18k yellow gold. The gold chain consists of rounded curb chain links. The yellow gold chain is fitted to one side with a swivel clasp and a ring loop to the opposing end. The swivel clasp and chain links is hallmarked to the swivel clasp with the 18k gold mark (18) and the chain has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 18 karat gold; such pieces are often crafted in 9ct gold, this higher hallmarked fineness indicates the exceptional quality of the piece. By virtue of its length, this impressive and versatile yellow gold chain may be utilised as a watch or fob chain, in addition to being worn as a chain necklace or alternatively wrapped around the wrist to be worn as a chain bracelet. Such antique 18k gold watch chains...
Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Albert Watch Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold 18" long Albert watch link chain necklace. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold 26" Open Oval & Round Link Pocket Watch Chain Necklace
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 14k Yellow Gold Weight: 39 Grams Chain Type: Open Oval & Round Link Chain Length: 26 Inches Chain Thickness: 6.2mm Link Width: 6.1mm (0.24") Clasp: Spring Ring & Do...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
H 0.19 in W 0.37 in L 50.5 in
Antique French Yellow Gold Sautoir Chain, Circa 1870
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique 18 karat yellow gold sautoir chain; part of our diverse antique necklace and pendant collection. This excep...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 9 Karat Yellow Gold Longuard Chain - Circa 1890
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique 9k yellow gold longuard chain necklace; part of our diverse antique gold chain collections. This exceptional, fine and impressive antique chain has been crafted in 9k yellow gold with a 10ct gold clasp. The antique longuard chain necklace consists of rounded links. By virtue of its length, this Victorian chain in gold may be worn as a two strand or three strand necklace, either with or without a pendant via the swivel clasp; alternatively the chain may be wrapped multiple times around the wrist to be worn as a bracelet. The chain is hallmarked to the clasp with the fineness mark for 10ct gold mark (10) and the maker's mark (M&M), in addition to being independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 10 and 9k gold. Condition: This impressive longuard chain necklace in yellow gold is excellent quality and a superior gauge of gold. The chain is in excellent condition, with a clear hallmark to the clasp. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this fine example of antique gold jewelry...
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 9ct Gold Rope Twist Pocket Watch Albert Chain C1920
By Unbranded
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Antique 9ct Gold Rope Twist Fully English Hallmarked Pocket Watch Albert Chain C1920 This beautiful antique fancy rope twist albert which would be idle for a pocket watch to be worn...
Gold, 9k Gold
Antique Art Deco 18kt Yellow Gold and Black Enamel Decorated Pocket Watch Chain
Located in valatie, NY
Antique Art Deco 18kt Yellow Gold and Black Enamel Decorated Pocket Watch Chain c1920. This totally original watch chain has 18 solid gold bars each intricately decorated with enamel...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
A Gold Antique Fetter and Rope link Watch Chain C1920
By Unbranded
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Rare heavy Gold Antique Fetter and Rope link Watch Chain with a Gold Guinea and a Sovereign Holder C1920. This magnificent 9ct British Hallmarked heavy (68grm) gold fetter and rop...
Gold
18K Yellow Gold 7.27cts Straight Line Diamond Necklace
Located in Dallas, TX
18K Yellow Gold 7.27cts Straight Line Diamond Necklace - 36 inch custom straight line diamond necklace. Total weight 7.27 cts weight- Co...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold White Topaz Yard Diamond by a Yard Necklace
Located in Dallas, TX
14K Yellow Gold White Topaz Yard Diamond by a Yard Necklace - . 14K Yellow Gold with 13 beautiful White Topaz weighing 10 cts. 18' in length. Total weight 11.4 grams.
14 Karat Yellow Gold Bolo Tennis Bracelet
Located in Dallas, TX
14K Yellow Gold Bolo Tennis Bracelet - 44 round brilliant cut diamonds set in 14k yellow gold in octagon setting. Weighing 1 cts. in a very fashionable adjustable bracelet. Designed...
14K Yellow Gold Lariat Necklace With Diamonds
Located in Dallas, TX
14K Yellow Gold Lariat Necklace With Diamonds - 14K Yellow gold Lariat/ Y- shaped adjustable necklace with a Wheat chain style. Sliding bolo clasp with 7 small round diamonds. A time...
Very Rare Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Ellipse Watch Ref. 4831
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Very Rare Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Ellipse Watch Ref. 4831 - Quartz. Ellipse. Yellow Gold with Diamond bezel and articulated lugs ( 35 mm ). White Roman Dial. Black Patek Philippe ...
14K Yellow Gold Diamond Tennis Bracelet Approx. 5 cts
Located in Dallas, TX
14K Yellow Gold Diamond Tennis Bracelet Approx. 5 cts - This beautiful bracelet features approx. 5 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds (HI-color, SI1-I1clarity) set in 14k yellow ...
Launched in 1932, the model has become emblematic of quality craftsmanship and timeless design.
A true icon of the much-coveted category of World Time watches, this rare model represents an important milestone in the history of one of the brand's signature complications.
