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 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
Patek Philippe Nautilus 4700/051 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Nautilus 4700/051 ladies' watch. 27mm 18K yellow gold case with a smooth 18K yellow gold bezel. Ivory dial with gold hands and Roman numeral hour markers. Date display...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5146G Cream Dial Watch & Papers
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5146G-001 Men's Watch. This timepiece features a 39mm case and bezel made of 18K white gold. The cream dial is complemented by luminous white gold hand...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 5065/1 Aquanaut 18K Yellow Gold W/Archives Unpolished
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Jumbo 5065/1 Men's Watch. This watch features a 38mm case crafted from 18K yellow gold, complemented by an octagonal 18K yellow gold bezel. The black dial is ...
Mixed Metal
Patek Philippe 3506/3G 18K White Gold Silver Dial Vintage Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Philippe Reference 3506/2 features a case size of 30mm by 27mm from lug to lug, enhancing its vintage charm and making it a comfortable fit on a 6.75-inch wrist. This compa...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe Gondolo 4824G White Dial Ladies Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Gondolo 4824G Ladies' Watch. 22mm by 28mm 18K white gold case. White dial with black hands and Arabic numeral hour markers. Black leather strap with 18K white gold buc...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava 35mm 18k Yellow Gold White Dial Mens Watch 5120J-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in good condition. Comes with the original box and papers. It shows normal signs of wear. Up for sale is a beautiful Patek Philippe Calatrava 5120J-001, crafted in 18K yel...
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 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 Manual Wind Roman Dial Yellow Gold Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Calatrava Manual Wind Roman Dial Wristwatch by Patek Philippe. Model: Calatrava Movement Type: Manual Wind Case Size: 33mm Crystal: Anti-glare Sapphire Weight: 40.6 grams Detail: 18k yellow gold case and buckle Case: 33mm Length: 8" Band: Black Leather Patek Philippe Band Movement: Manual Wind Hallmarks: Patek Philippe Geneve Swiss Made...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
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
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.
