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 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 & 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
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 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
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1913 Patek Philippe Pocket Watch for Retailer Spaulding and Company , 45 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 4 piece case including the Yellow Gold Cuvette (Dust Cover) Greek Key Pattern Blue...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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
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
Tiffany & Company Patek Philippe Antique Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920 Patek Philippe for Tiffany & company Pocket watch, 45 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 4 piece case including Gold inside Dust Cover. 20 Jewel, mechanical, manual wind nickle leve...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co Movado Gold Pocket Watch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. 14 karat yellow gold pocket watch, with Movado movement. Made in Switzerland. Serial no. 550273. Marked: Tiffany & Co. / Swiss made / 1...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Etoile Gold Diamond Watch Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
18k gold triple chain necklace, with a watch pendant. Case adorned with 4 diamonds. Necklace is 17.5" long, pendant/watch measures 35mm with bale x 20.5mm in diameter. Dial decorate...
Diamond, Gold
Art Nouveau Antique Gold Diamond Lapel Pocket Watch
Located in New York, NY
Antique Art Nouveau 18k gold pocket watch, high relief case, decorated with diamonds. Case is 23mm in diameter. With porcelain dial and original filigree hands. Suspended on a 14k gold Nouveau floral...
Diamond, Gold
Tiffany & Co Angle Baby 18k Gold Enamel Pocket Watch with Seed Pearls Chain
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co Angle Baby 18k Gold Enamel Pocket Watch with Seed Pearls Chain Details: Signed "Tiffany & Co New York, No. 71739" Movement: mechanical, likely manual-wind The markings...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Ruby Diamond Pendant Watch
Located in New York, NY
Antique circular pendant watch, circa 1880s Tear drop-shaped rubies surrounded by rose-cut diamonds; center stone is a diamond of approximately 0.10 c...
Diamond, Ruby
Paris Antique Gold Pearl Enamel Diamond Pocket Watch
Located in New York, NY
Antique Paris 18k gold pocket watch, featuring blue enamel decorated case, set with pearls and rose cut diamonds. Porcelain dial, key wind mechanical movement. Minor scratches on the...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Enamel
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.
