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.
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18K Yellow Gold Quartz Men’s Watch Ref. 3954
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
This refined Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 3954 embodies the purity and elegance that define the Calatrava line. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, the watch features a clean white lacquer ...
Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Gold Men's Watch - 3520
By Patek Philippe
Located in istanbul, TR
Brand : Patek Philippe Collection : Calatrava Model : Calatrava Clous De Paris Reference : Patek Philippe - 3520 Category : Wrist Watch Period : 1990's Movement : Mechanical Case mat...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 3520D 18K Yellow Gold Men's Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Philippe 3520D is an elegant timepiece that exemplifies luxury and craftsmanship. It features a 32mm case made of 18K yellow gold, paired with a distinctive hobnail bezel t...
18k Gold
Lady's 18K Yellow Gold Patek Philippe "Calatrava" Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Lady's 18K Yellow Gold Patek Philippe "Calatrava" Ref.#4819/1J Wacth White Dial with Black Roman Numerals, Hobnail Pattern Bezel, 18K Yellow Gold Patek Philippe Meshh Bracelet. Swiss...
Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava 2568/1 18K Yellow Gold Mens Watch With Archives
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck, NY
Patek Philippe Calatrava 2568/1J Mens Watch. 33mm 18K yellow gold case. 18K yellow gold bezel. Silver dial with gold hands and gold index hour markers. Small second sub-dial. Black A...
Vintage Patek Philippe 18k Yellow Gold Hand Wind Men's Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A refined vintage Patek Philippe men’s dress watch crafted in solid 18k yellow gold, featuring a distinctive square case with stepped Deco-inspired edges. The aged silver dial displa...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227J Ivory Dial 18K Yellow Gold Mens Watch Box Papers
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck, NY
Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227J-001 Mens Watch. 39mm 18K yellow gold case. 18K yellow gold smoothed bezel. Ivory dial with gold hands and index hour markers. The date is displayed at ...
Patek Philippe 1960s Yellow Gold Ref. 2595 Calatrava Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960 Patek Philippe Reference 2595 Calatrava Wrist Watch, 32 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, Patek logo Crown. Mechanical, Manual wind 18 Jewel, Caliber 23-300 Movement. Sil...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
W 1.11 in L 1.38 in
1952 Patek Philippe Vintage Mens Handwound Watch, Ref. 2488 - 18K Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 Gold Men's watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 Gold Men's watch comes with original box excellent condition! runs perfect free overnight insured shipping shop with co...
Patek Philippe Vintage Calatrava Men's Gold Watch Ref. 570
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Vintage Calatrava Men's Gold Watch Ref. 570 - Manual wind, Caliber 27 SC. 18K Yellow Gold Case (35.5mm). Silver dial with gold markers. Strap band with 18k gold Patek ...
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k White Gold Men's Automatic Watch 5227G
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k White Gold Men's Automatic Watch 5227G - Automatic winding with date at 3 o clock. Calatrava. 18K White gold case with smooth bezel (38 mm) Exhibition ba...
Very Rare Patek Philippe Calatrava Platinum Ref 3998 P Men's Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Very Rare Patek Philippe Calatrava Platinum Ref 3998 P Men's Watch - Automatic; Sapphire Crystal. Calatrava. Platinum ( 34mm ) screw back case with ...
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Automatic Calatrava Ref.3440J
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Automatic Calatrava Ref.3440J - Automatic self winding 37 jewel movement with 18k gold rotor. Calatrava. 18K Yellow Gold (34 mm) 3 body case with screw bac...
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Golden Ellipse Watch Ref. 3986J
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Golden Ellipse Watch Ref. 3986J - Manual winding. Ellipse. Yellow Gold ( 27 x 32 mm ). White dial with black roman numerals. Black Patek Philippe leather s...
Cartier Panther 18k Yellow Gold Men's Quartz Watch with Date & Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Panther 18k Yellow Gold Men's Quartz Watch with Date & Diamonds - Quartz. 18k yellow gold case with factory diamond bezel (27mm x 38mm). Ivory colored dial with black Ro...
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.
