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 Gondolo, Automatic, Ref. 3942, 18 Karat Gold, Full Set
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, DE
This Patek Philippe watch is a prime example of the luxury and precision one would expect from one of the world's leading watch manufacturers. The watch is a true masterpiece of watc...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$23,500
W 0.71 in L 0.95 in
Vintage Patek Philippe Les Grecques Model 4731/2 18 Karat Yellow Gold Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Maker: Patek Philippe Model: Les Grecques 4731 / 2 Year: 1980s Material: 18k yellow Gold Dial: Gold Case Measurement: 18mm x 24mm Movement: Quartz Weight: 52 Grams Size: Fits Up t...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe Hour Glass 2468 Silver Dial Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
This 22 mm vintage Patek Philippe Hour Glass in yellow gold is in fine condition. Features a silvered dial with a small seconds display at 6 ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe 18K Gold 35mm Manual Wind Watch on Leather
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Patek Philippe Geneve Calavatra manual-wind wristwatch in 18K yellow gold featuring a 35mm round case with distinctive T-bar lugs and brushed silver dial with subsidiary seco...
18k Gold
18 kt Gold Patek Philippe Million Dollar Associate Wrist Watch Ref 3565
Located in Antwerp, BE
GOLDEN PATEK PHILIPPE 'MILLION DOLLAR ASSOCIATE' with Patek Philippe Extract From The Archives Ref 3565 from 1969 MOVEMENT: automatic, 27-460M FUNCTIO...
18k Gold, Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k Yellow Gold Automatic Watch Ref. 3998J
Located in New York, NY
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 3998J exemplifies the understated elegance that has defined the Calatrava collection for generations. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this refined dress...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch 5119-J (or 5119J-001)
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch 5119-J (or 5119J-001) - Manual winding. Calatrava. 18k yellow gold case with hobnail bezel and exposition back (36mm diameter). W...
Patek Philippe White Gold Manual Wind Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic Patek Philippe unisex watch. Rectangular 18 karat white gold case 30 x 35 (without lugs) mm, Swiss automatic movement. Subsidiary second...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196R 18K Rose Goldn Watch Box & Papers
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196R-001 Men's Watch. This elegant timepiece features a 37mm case made of 18K rose gold and a matching 18K rose gold bezel. The grey dial is accented with r...
18k Gold
$24,495
W 1.38 in L 1.58 in
1950's Patek Philippe Vintage Mens Ref. 2532 "Grande" Calatrava Watch - 18K Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
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.
