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 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
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
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Antique Chronograph Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1909 Patek Philippe Open Face Chronograph Pocket Watch, 50 mm diameter 18k Yellow Gold 3 piece case with inside dust cover, White Porcel...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Yellow Gold Presentation Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930s Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Presentation Pocket Watch, 47 M.M 18k Yellow Gold 3 piece case with inside Gold dust cover, 18 Jewel Mechanical, Manual wind Nickle Lever movement, Mat finish Gold Dial. Engraved presentation dated 1933 on the inside dust cover. Matching Case and Movement numbers, signed Tiffany & Co. and Patek Philippe on the Case and Movement as well. Comes in the original fitted Tiffany & Company presentation case with original 14k Pocket Knife...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 2449 Yellow Gold Manual wind Vintage Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950-1955 Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2449 Wrist Watch, 35 M.M. diameter x 9 M.M. thick 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, 18 Jewel Caliber 12-120 PS Mechanical, manual wind...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe "Grand Ellipse" Large Yellow Gold Self Winding Wrist watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Patek Philippe "Grand Ellipse" Wrist Watch 36 x 33 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 3 piece case. Caliber 28-255 Automatic Self winding movement. Gold Satin Dial with Black Roman num...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 1950s Yellow 18K Gold Open Face Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe. A Gold Elegant Pocket Watch & Chain 1960
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Patek Philippe. An 18ct Yellow Gold Elegant Pocket Watch & Matching Gold Chain (13.43grams) C1960. Dial: A beautiful silver opaline dial signed Patek Philippe Genève with batons...
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 & 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
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.
