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 & Cie. A Gold Open Face Pocket Watch C1914
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Patek Philippe & Cie Genève. A Gold Open Face Keyless Lever Pocket Watch Retailed by Federico Tornotti Torino-Roma C1914. Dial: The super white enamel dial signed Patek Philippe...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Savonnette Pocket Watch Triple Signed 18 Karat Yellow Gold 1891
By Patek Philippe
Located in Baltimore, MD
Patek Philippe Savonnette Pocket Watch Triple Signed 18 Karat Yellow Gold 1891 Metal: 18k yellow gold Weight: 65.3 grams Case: 47mm, 57mm to end of crown stem Serial: 256368 Signed...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Antique Pocket Watch 18K Yellow Gold White Enamel Dial 1891 Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Aventura, FL
An exceptional and historically significant Patek Philippe pocket watch, manufactured on January 13, 1891, during the golden era of Geneva watchmaking. This watch features a classic ...
Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid Gold Art Deco Pocket Watch circa 1893
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1893 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 51mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Windi...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe XIX Century Open-Face 18k Gold Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Patek Philippe XIX Century Open-Face Gold Pocket Watch dated January 13 1891 Serial number 96510 and contrast number 213206 Expressly made for JJ Freman Toledo, O Beautiful 43m/1.69 in 18k gold case external lid. Internal lid is plain. Gold sphere, rubys. Protecting cover and front opening. Roman numerals. Porcelaine of sphere is scratched on right down side condition, Working condition t 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 Geneva last November, in case anyone’s wondering). 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. 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...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe Rare Gold Quarter Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Patek Philippe. A Rare 18ct Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Quarter Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch Retailed by H. Pleister 312 Regent Street London. C1880s. Dial: The beautiful white e...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Demi Hunter Pocket Watch in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boston, MA
A Patek Philippe pocket watch crafted in 18k yellow gold. Housed in a rare Demi, or Half Hunters case accented with black enamel. The ...
18k Gold
Antique Patek Philippe Pocket Watch with Arabic Numerals in 18k Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Antique Patek Philippe Ref. 258729 white face pocket watch in 18K yellow gold. Featuring a mechanical hand winding movement, Arabic numeral hour...
18k Gold
$20,252
D 0.44 in Dm 1.97 in
18kt Yellow Gold Patek Philippe & Cie Savonette / Hunter Case Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Antwerp, BE
18kt Yellow Gold Patek Philippe & Cie Savonette / Hunter Case Pocket Watch Movement: Manual winding. Period: Early 20th century Case: 18K Yellow gold polished case, diameter 50 mm, thickness 11 mm Dial: White enamel with black Arabic Breguet numerals...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 14 Karat Gold Pocket Watch, sold by W. Lennartz-Michels
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, DE
Patek Philippe Gold Pocket Watch, Arabic Enamel Dial Slight signs of wear due to age on the case. Hands possibly replaced. Diameter ...
Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Courvoisier Geneve Circa 1830 18Kt Yellow Gold Enamel Pocket Watch
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). 18Kt yellow gold case. No. 2381. C...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Longines 14Kt Yellow Gold Decagonal Pocket Watch, Circa 1920s
By Longines
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Case number 1535971, made 1920’s 14...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique French Brass Equinoctial Dial, Neoclassical, Circa 1780
Located in Firenze, IT
With hinged gnomon, hour ring and latitude arc, silvered compass rose with two inset bubble levels, raised on three levelling screws, in velvet lined and shaped leather covered case,...
Brass
An Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock First Quarter 19th Century
By Michael Butterfield
Located in Firenze, IT
Very nice high quality French Empire clock, showing a Cupid holding two flag. The opaline dial with Roman and Arabic numbers. The watch is signed by Eugene Bornand Height 19in (48cm)
Brass, Bronze
A Brass Butterfield Paris Dial French Pocket Sundial Circa 1780
By Michael Butterfield
Located in Firenze, IT
Octagonal brass dial inset compass well, mounted with hinged gnomon with bird indicator. No engraving of cities with their latitude because it is a single latitude horizontal sundia...
Brass
Le Maire Paris French Silver 'Butterfield' Type Pocket Sundial & Compass 1740's
Located in Firenze, IT
LE MAIRE FILS, PARIS. AN EARLY 18TH CENTURY FRENCH SILVER 'BUTTERFIELD' TYPE POCKET SUNDIAL AND COMPASS. the octagonal plate dial engraved a sundial with four alternating rings of r...
Silver
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.
