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.
Rockford Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch from 1886
By Rockford Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rockford Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1886 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 55mm MOVEMENT / CALIBE...
Penlington 18Kt. Solid Gold Keywinding Pocket Watch 1850's Breguet Style
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Penlington London STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1850's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 53mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Key...
Cartier 18Kt. Yellow Gold Art Deco Open Faced Pocket Watch Hand Made 1920's
By Cartier
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Cartier Jewelers STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Opened Faced METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold and Enamel CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIO...
Gold-filled
Ball Watch Co. Open Faced Railroad Pocket Watch circa 1920
By Ball Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Ball Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced High Grade Railroad Pocket Watch / METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled / Screw O...
Gold-filled
Rob Crook 18 Karat Yellow Gold Open Faced Keywind Pocket Watch, circa 1845
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rob Crook STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Face / Pocket Watch Keywind METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA: 1845 DIMENSIONS: Diameter 47mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Key Winding / 13 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Enamel with Roman Numerals / Blued Steel Hands WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This high grade English chain driven watch...
Moricand & Degrange 18Kt. Yellow Gold and Enamel Open Faced Pocket Watch 1840's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Moricand & Degrance, Geneve STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Yellow Gold & Enamel CIRCA / YEAR: 1830's / 40's DIMENSIONS /...
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 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
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
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 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
Antique Art Deco 1920s Patek Philippe & Cie Gold Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold. Signed by Patek Philippe Circa early 1920s 43.4 mm face
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.
