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 Dress Watch circa 1980's with Original Bracelet
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 4217-10 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1980's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 23mm X Widt...
Gold
Patek Philippe 18 Karat Gold Men's Bracelet Watch with Gold Dial, from 1973
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Cie. STYLE / REFERENCE: Men's Oval Bracelet Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA: 1973 DIMENSIONS: Length 35mm X Diameter 30mm MOVEMENT / ...
Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid White Gold Ladies Dress Watch circa 1970's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Style / Reference 4179-1 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 20mm X Width ...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 18 Karat Gold Dress Style with Original Blue Dial, circa 1990
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Cie STYLE / REFERENCE: Square / Reference 4183 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1990's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 33mm X Width 25mm M...
Knapp & Co. 14Kt Yellow Gold Art Deco Watch 1940's High Grade Hand Made
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Knapp & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 32mm Length X 26mm Width MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Art Deco Arabic...
Yellow Gold
Illinois Watch Company Rare 14Kt Solid Yellow Gold Art Deco Watch circa 1931
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Illinois Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1931 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 27mm "Lug Tip t...
Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold 18K Wristwatch 1960S
By Patek Philippe
Located in Geneva, CH
Patek Philippe Wristwatch ref. 3503/5 in 18K Gold. CIRCA: 1967 CASE NUMBER: 2650836 MOVEMENT NUMBER: 1137844 REF.: 3503 CASE MATERIAL: 18K y...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 3322 Ladies Yellow Gold Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Patek Philippe Reference 3322 Wrist Watch. 16 x 20 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case with hand Texturing, 20 Jewel Mechanical, manual wind Nickle lever movement, Patek Ph...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Patek Philippe Classique 3773 18K YG Linen Dial Quartz 26mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A Study In Texture And Form The Patek Philippe reference 3773 is a product of the 1980s, an era when integrated bracelets and unconventional case shapes were a primary focus for the brand. This piece stands apart due to its rare and deeply textured dial. The silvered "Linen" finish, with its fine, thread-like pattern, creates a visual depth that is uncommon in the Classique line. Paired with an all-gold construction and a sharp, rectangular case, this watch represents a specific and confident style of Swiss watchmaking. The Details That Define It What elevates this example is the combination of its specific features. The full 18K yellow gold integrated case and bracelet create a seamless look on the wrist, a hallmark of high design from the period. The dial is the clear centerpiece, and the decision to use a contrasting black date wheel against the silvered background is a subtle but impactful choice. It demonstrates a level of consideration that goes beyond a standard production model, making the watch feel more deliberate and curated. A Well-Preserved Example This watch is in Very Good condition. The 18K yellow gold case is in good shape, showing honest wear but retaining its original lines. The rare linen dial is perfect, with its intricate pattern fully intact. The integrated yellow gold bracelet is in excellent shape, consistent with the overall condition of the piece. As with every watch we offer, this piece has been verified as mechanically sound and is ready to wear. For The Discerning Collector This is a watch for someone who appreciates the design-forward ethos of 1980s Patek...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe 18K Gold Dress Watch with Integrated Mesh, 26 mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in Tysons, VA
This mid-century Patek Philippe reference 3503/2 features a 26 mm square case in 18K yellow gold with a crisp white dial set with applied baton markers and pencil hands. The case flo...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe For Gübelin 4457/1 Double Signed 18K Gold 23mm Manual Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Double signed vintage Patek Philippe for Gübelin ref. 4457/1 manual wind wristwatch in 18K yellow gold, featuring a white dial with black Roman numerals, black square minute track, b...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 18K Yellow Gold Calatrava 35mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: Automatic, 27-460M Function: hours, minutes, seconds, month, date Case: 35mm round 18K yellow gold case, fixed bezel Dial: champagne index dial Band: 18K yellow gold mesh b...
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.
