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 and Tiffany & Co. Cloisonné Enamel Watch
By Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This masterful Patek Philippe open-face keyless watch represents the pinnacle of horological artistry through its extraordinary Tiffany & Co. case. The hinged case showcases the ...
18k Gold, Enamel
Enamel Minute Repeater Chronograph Pocket Watch
Located in New Orleans, LA
Enamel Minute Repeater Chronograph Pocket Watch made for the Indian Market Lévy Hermanos, Switzerland Enameling attributed to P. Amédée Champo...
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Minute Repeating Chronograph Pocket Watch by A. Lugrin
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted by Swiss watchmaker Alfred Lugrin, this exceptional minute repeating, triple-date chronograph is a specimen of precision timekeeping. Housed in a...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Steel
Grande Sonnerie Pocket Watch by Montandon
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare grande sonnerie quarter-hour repeating pocket watch crafted by Swiss firm Montandon is an impressive work of horology that is as handsome as ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Pocket Watch by Redard & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This stylish and complex perpetual calendar minute-repeating chronometer pocket watch was created by the Swiss firm of H. Redard & Co. Its 18K...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. Calatrava Watch
By Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Model: Calatrava Movement: Manual-Winding Patek Philippe Caliber 30-255 PS Case: 39mm Case Material: 18K rose gold Dial Color: Silvered Complications: Running seconds dial Delivery C...
Rose 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
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 Gilbert Albert Pocket Watch 18k YG
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2266 Brand Patek Philippe Model Gilbert Albert Pocket Watch Diameter 41mm x 35.6mm Movement Manual Winding Weight 34.3g Box No Papers No
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 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 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
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.
