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 Travel Time Men's Platinum Watch 5134 P (or 5134P-001)
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Travel Time Men's Platinum Watch 5134 P (or 5134P-001) - Manual winding; dual time. Travel Time. Platinum case with exposition back (36mm diameter). Featuring the most...
Patek Philippe Nautilus Service Sealed 5712R-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rose gold Nautilus by Patek Philippe. Featuring a horizontally embossed black brown dial with a small seconds sub-dial, a date, a power reserve indicator and a moon phase display. ...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dm 1.58 in
Rare Patek Philippe Nautilus 3712/1A-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Very Rare Stainless Steel Nautilus Wristwatch by Patek Philippe. Featuring a black-grey dial with applied hour markers, small seconds, date and moon phase display as well as a powe...
Stainless Steel
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
Patek Philippe Nautilus 3800/1A Black Dial Mens Watch Box Papers
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck, NY
Patek Philippe Nautilus 3800/1A-001 Mens Watch. 37mm stainless steel case with stainless steel smooth bezel. Black dial with steel hands and Roman numeral hour marker. The date is di...
PATEK PHILIPPE 18K White Gold Nautilus, Gray Dial
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Basic Information - Brand: Patek Philippe - Model: Nautilus - Reference number: 5711G-001 - Movement: Automatic - Case Size: 40mm - Dial: Gray - Case Material: 18K White Gold - Brace...
18k Gold, White Gold
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 Travel Time Chronograph NOS 5990/1A-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A now discontinued model, this Nautilus Travel Time in stainless steel by Patek Philippe is in unworn NOS condition. Featuring a black gradated horizontally embossed dial that featur...
Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5164A-001 Black Dial Mens Watch Box Papers
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck, NY
Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5164A-001 Mens Watch. 40.8mm stainless steel case. Stainless steel smoothed bezel. Black embossed dial with steel hands and Arabic numeral hour markers. Date ...
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 ...
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.
