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 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 : manuel wind Case ma...
18k Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava Yellow Gold Men's Watch Ref. 96
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava Yellow Gold Men's Watch Ref. 96 - Manual winding. Calatrava. 18K Yellow Gold (30 mm). Silver dial with raised lapped gold indexes and a small seconds...
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...
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 Calendar/Moonphase Men's Platinum Watch 5146 P-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Calendar/Moonphase Men's Platinum Watch 5146 P-001 - Automatic winding. Annual Calendar. Platinum waterproof case with exposition back to view movement; single diamond...
Patek Philippe 5711 All Diamond Watch 18 Karat in Stock
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Patek Philippe Case Material: 18k White Gold Case Diameter: 40mm Crystal: Scratch resistant sapphire Bezel: Triple row of round shape Diamonds (aftermarket) Dial: All round sh...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
PATEK PHILIPPE Nautilus Vintage watch steel/yellow gold and diamonds
By Patek Philippe
Located in London, England
PATEK PHILIPPE Nautilus Vintage Lady steel/yellow gold 18k with factory diamonds. Ladies' wrist watch, ref. 4700/52. Stainless steel/yellow gold 18K, case number 2876844, bezel set ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Steel
Patek Philippe Nautilus Rose Gold Stainless Steel Blue Dial Mens Watch 5980/1AR
By Patek Philippe
Located in Aventura, FL
5980/1AR - Patek Philippe Nautilus Self winding With the rounded octagonal shape of its bezel, the ingenious porthole construction...
Rose Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k Yellow Gold Hand Wind Men's Watch Ref. 3588
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Brand: Patek Philippe Model: Calatrava Reference Number: 3588 Case Size: 35mm Movement: Hand Wind Material: 18k Yellow Gold Size: 6.5" Weight: 91.9 Grams Condition: Good condition, k...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 18 Karat Gold Men's Bracelet Watch with Gold Dial, from 1973
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Cie. STYLE / REFERENCE: Men's Oval Bracelet Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA: 1973 DIMENSIONS: Length 35mm X Diameter 30mm MOVEMENT / ...
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.
