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.
2006 Patek Philippe Calatrava 3919R-001 18K Rose Gold White Dial Manual 36mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Definitive Modern Calatrava For many, the Reference 3919 is the definitive Patek Philippe Calatrava. Introduced in 1985, it defined the brand's aesthetic for over two decades wi...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rare Patek Philippe 5050R 18K Pink Gold Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Switzerland, CH
Beautiful Patek Philippe 5050R Retrograde Perpetual Calendar 18K rose gold case with an 18K rose gold tang buckle Case in excellent condition with clear and bold hallmarks Baton Nume...
Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe 18kt. Rose Gold Late Art Deco Round Original Dial from 1940s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe et Cie. STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Art Deco / Reference 2494 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 41 Length X 33 D...
Patek Philippe Calatrava Vintage Ref 2545 Yellow Gold Mechanical Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950s Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2545, 32 M.M. 18K yellow Gold 2 piece case with Water Proof Back, 18 Jewel, Caliber 12-400 Mechani...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. Calatrava Watch
By Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Model: Calatrava Movement: Manual-Winding Patek Philippe Caliber 30-255 PS Case: 39mm Case Material: 18K rose gold Dial Color: Silvered Complications: Running seconds dial Delivery C...
Rose Gold
Patek Philippe Vintage Calatrava Reference 3484 in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A distinguished Patek Philippe Calatrava, model 3484. The round case is meticulously crafted from 18k yellow gold, featuring a champagne sunburst dia...
18k Gold
H 1.54 in Dm 0.87 in
Vintage Patek Philippe Hour Glass 2468 Silver Dial Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
This 22 mm vintage Patek Philippe Hour Glass in yellow gold is in fine condition. Features a silvered dial with a small seconds display at 6 ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 2449 Yellow Gold Manual wind Vintage Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950-1955 Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2449 Wrist Watch, 35 M.M. diameter x 9 M.M. thick 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, 18 Jewel Caliber 12-120 PS Mechanical, manual wind...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Ladies 18k Rose Gold Watch 4908-11R
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Ladies 18k Rose Gold Watch 4908-11R - Quartz. Twenty-4. 18k rose gold case with diamond bezel ( 22 x 25 mm ). Timeless White dial with diamond hour markers an...
Patek Rose Gold Automatic Watch Ref 2584, circa 1956
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Large Round Bracelet / Reference 2584 METAL / MATERIAL: 18k Solid Rose Gold DIMENSIONS: Length 36mm X Diameter 36mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Automatic Winding / 36 Jewels / Cal. 12-600 AT CIRCA: 1956 DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered Dial / Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: 18k Solid Rose Gold Bracelet / 19cm or 7.5" Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This extremely rare watch is full size and comes with an original Patek Philippe signed...
18k Gold
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.
