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.
1930s Shreve and Company Art Deco Desk Clock
By Shreve & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Shreve and Company San Francisco STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Glass, Gilt and Nickel METAL / MATERIAL: CIRCA / YEAR: D...
Gilt Metal, Mixed Metal
Cartier Midcentury Yellow Gold Diamond Desk Clock
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury circa 1950s 18k gold desk clock by Cartier, door decorated with rose cut diamonds. Black applied Roman markers. Clock measures 2.25" t...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier Mystery Prism Desk Clock
By Cartier
Located in New York City, NY
The Cartier Mystery Prism Desk Clock is a testament to the brand's commitment to both horological excellence and artistic design. Cartier, renowned for its luxury timepieces and jewelry, created this desk clock as a distinctive and elegant addition to their collection. Cartier Prism...
Jaeger Le Coultre Tuxedo Atmos Clock
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Norwich, GB
JAEGER LE COULTRE Tuxedo Atmos clock with Ruby jewelled movement signed ‘Jaeger Le Coultre’. Silvered dial with baton numerals and original gol...
Gold Plate
Jaeger LeCoultre desk clock
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jaeger LeCoultre desk clock 1952 model (very rare) 8-day winding Mid-century style Swiss origin circa 1950 Perfectly working Some wear on the patina due to use Jaeger-LeCoultre is a ...
Metal
Asprey Rock Crystal, Diamond & Enamel Desk Clock
By Asprey
Located in New York, NY
Asprey Rock Crystal, Diamond & Enamel Desk Clock Description: A magnificent Asprey Rock Crystal desk clock, exuding the elegance of the Art Deco era. This exceptional timepiece is f...
Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Enamel
$2,887 / set
H 3.35 in W 2.96 in D 2.17 in
Cartier Paris 18ct Gold Plated Cased Romane Pendulette Quartz Alarm Clock
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier Romane alarm clock from the 1980s .The clock features a 18ct gold plated case with a white enamel dial marked with black Roman numerals.It operates with a quartz movement and...
Brass, Gold Plate
Atmos Jaeger LeCoultre Clock Gold Plated 287992 1960s
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Miami, FL
An Atmos clock by Jaeger-LeCoultre. Gold plated and glass frame. In very clean condition.
Brass
David Petersen England DP / BT Boite Carriage Clock, 8 Days, 11 Jewels, B&P's.
Located in Canterbury, England
Our lovely David Peterson Carriage clock is assembled in brass and gold plate and features a manually wound 8 day reserve movement with 11 jewels. David Peterson specialise in high q...
Patek Philippe manual wind Deck clock from 1926
By Patek Philippe
Located in Ermatingen, TG
90mm Patek Philippe Deck watch with Silver dial, Enamel Hour markers Geneva Observatory rating of quality '' Extra'' Gilt brass, 21 jewels, movement is double stamped with Geneva ha...
Brass
Cartier Art Deco "Cubist" Pendulette Desk Clock W0100014
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Art Deco "cubist" Pendulette Desk Clock W0100014 - Quartz, alarm complication. Brasscase with black lacquer Greek-key (méandre) motifs and red lacquer accent bars ( 101 x 87 ...
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Ladies 18k Rose Gold & Diamond Watch 4910/11R
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Ladies 18k Rose Gold & Diamond Watch 4910/11R - Quartz. Twenty-4. 18k rose gold case set with 34 diamonds (25mm x 30mm). Silver white dial with diamond marker...
Very Rare Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Ellipse Watch Ref. 4831
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Very Rare Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Ellipse Watch Ref. 4831 - Quartz. Ellipse. Yellow Gold with Diamond bezel and articulated lugs ( 35 mm ). White Roman Dial. Black Patek Philippe ...
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch 4920G (4920)
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch 4920G (4920) - Quartz. Twenty-4. 18k white gold case with diamond bezel (25mm x 30mm). Grey dial with diamond hour markers and...
Marius Lecoultre Very Fine Gold Minute Repeater with Split Second Chronograph
Located in Dallas, TX
Marius Lecoultre Very Fine Gold Minute Repeater With Split Second Chronograph - Manual winding. Heavy 18k yellow gold ( 53 mm ) four body, gold cuvett...
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...
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.
