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.
Rare Vintage Patek Philippe Ellipse Jumbo 3605 Blue Dial 18K White Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 3605 (3605/2G-200) Model: Vintage Patek Philippe Jumbo Ellipse Case Material: 18K White Gold Band: 18K White Gold Bezel: 18K White Gold Dial:...
18k Gold, White Gold
1970’s Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse d‘Or White Gold Blue Dial Ref. 3848
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, DE
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse d‘Or White Gold Blue Dial Ref. 3848. This elegant wristwatch by Patek Philippe made of 18 carat white gold with a blue dial is the perfect watch for th...
Patek Philippe 3506/3G 18K White Gold Silver Dial Vintage Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Philippe Reference 3506/2 features a case size of 30mm by 27mm from lug to lug, enhancing its vintage charm and making it a comfortable fit on a 6.75-inch wrist. This compa...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid White Gold Ladies Dress Watch circa 1970's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Style / Reference 4179-1 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 20mm X Width ...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt. White Gold with Original Bracelet and Blue Dial, 1970's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe Geneve STYLE / REFERENCE: White Gold Dress Watch / Reference 3468-5 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 18 Jewels / Caliber 23-300 DIAL / HANDS: Original Blue with Baton Markers / Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original 18Kt White Gold Bracelet 18mm Width / 7 1/4 Inches or 18.3cm WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT The legendary house of Patek Philippe created this classic example of a dress watch in the 1970's. The watch appears to have never been used. The bracelet is in exceptional condition, we seldom see Patek Dress Watches...
Vintage Patek Philippe Wristwatch 18KT White Gold, Circa 1980's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch crafted in solid 18KT white gold, dating to the 1980s and presented with its original integrated bracelet. The watch features a refined square cus...
18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1972 Patek Philippe Ellipse 3781/1 18K WG Blue Sunburst Dial Manual 32mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Golden Ratio In White Gold The Patek Philippe Ellipse is a study in precise, unconventional design, celebrated for its adherence to the golden ratio. The reference 3781/1, rende...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe Ellipse 3548G Reprinted-Blue Dial 18K White Gold Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Philippe Ellipse 3548G watch features a 27mm case made of 18K white gold, complemented by an 18K white gold bezel. It showcases a reprinted blue dial adorned with white gol...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 3583 / 1 White Gold Gents Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980 Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse Reference 3583 / 1 Wrist Watch, 34 x 26 M.M. 18k White Gold 3 piece case, 18 jewel mechanical, manual wind nickle lever movement , original W...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe 3491/3G - 18K White Gold Blue Linen Dial
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A Refined Expression Of The Seventies The 1970s was a period where Patek Philippe focused heavily on the continuity of design between the case and the bracelet. This reference 3491/...
18k Gold
very rare universal geneve "big eye" uni compax.
By Universal Genève
Located in Munich, DE
very rare universal big eye ref. 84100/01. the rarest universal chronograph around. made for 4 years and not more than 200 pieces with black and white dial. a true icon.....
Steel
Gucci Silver Bracelet 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant bracelet in 925 sterling silver and blue and yellow enamel inclusions like the Ukraine flag, stamp with Gucci and the silver mark and designed by Antonio Fallaci.
Sterling Silver, Enamel
carl auböck leather and chrome box.
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
rare box by carl auböck. signed inside with persil.
Metal, Chrome
Outstanding rare Albenga office chair by Gustavo Pulitzer
By Arflex, Gustavo Pulitzer Finali
Located in Munich, DE
Amazing Pulitzer Albenga chair in a very uncommon and impossible to find - all original office version. It is high adjustable, tilts and swivels. using the same construction like old...
Metal
rare and early Bakalowits wall lamp
By Bakalowits & Söhne
Located in Munich, DE
nice and early bakalowits wall lamp.
Metal, Brass
rare carl auböck jalousie box
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
rare carl auböck jalousie box. made for cigarettes, but can be used for anything.... very nice mid-century item.
Metal
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.
