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.
Over three generations, the Malakov family has built a business that extends from the Central Asian Silk Road to Europe, New York, and beyond. The name Roman Malakov is now synonymous with quality jewelry and watches. From engagement rings to wedding rings to estate pieces and high-end jewelry, the firm carefully handcrafts all its pieces, understanding that each one immortalizes a special relation or memorable experience in a client’s life. The stones used are sourced straight from the mines and inspected by experts to make sure they meet strict quality standards. In addition to customization, Roman Malakov offers alterations, to make sure a piece perfectly matches the customer’s tastes and desires, as well as restoration and repairs.
Patek Philippe Round Crystal Dial Leather Strap Wristwatch in Yellow Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A classic Patek Philippe wristwatch, featuring a round dial covered in crystal with hours and hands represented by yellow gold lines. Case and case back are made of 18K yellow gold. ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Nautilus Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Ref. No. 4700/153
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous and luxurious 1994 Patek Philippe timepiece features a champagne dial with a date window at 3 o’clock, encrusted with factory rubies (0.13 carat) and diamonds, all set ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1989 Patek Philippe Nautilus Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Ref. 4700-051
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
An elegant Patek Philippe Nautilus crafted in 18K yellow gold, featuring a cream dial with diamond-set hour markers and a yellow gold bezel. Powered by the Quartz Caliber E19 movemen...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Daytona Ref 116509 Panda Dial White Gold Chronograph Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Daytona Chronograph Reference 116509. This watch has become one of the most iconic watches Rolex has ever made and is sought after all over the world. At the heart of this 40 m...
18k Gold, White Gold
Breguet Marine 5817BA Automatic 18K Yellow Gold Watch
By Breguet
Located in New York, NY
A men's watch created by Breguet 5817BA/12/9V8 for the Marine collection, featuring an 18K yellow gold bezel enclosing a 39 mm round case with a silver guilloche dial and Roman numer...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Datejust 16233 Champagne 18K Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel Men's Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A classic Rolex Datejust (16233), featuring a self-winding automatic watch with a 36 mm stainless steel case and an 18K yellow gold fluted bezel. A Rolex jubilee of 18K yellow gold a...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe, Beautiful 18k Rose Gold Chronograph Ref. 3970E Wristwatch, 1997
By Patek Philippe
Located in Paris, FR
Patek Philippe – Reference 3970E, Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 18K Rose Gold – Circa 1997 Among Patek Philippe’s most celebrated grand complications, the reference 3970 is a corne...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Patek Philippe, Elegant & Rare 18k YGold Chronograph "Ref. 130" Wristwatch, 1947
By Patek Philippe
Located in Paris, FR
Patek Philippe’s reference 130 is one of the firm’s best-known vintage chronograph models and chronographs of the 20th. Few Patek Philippe references enjoy such an iconic status amongst scholars and collectors as reference 130 does. The present watch features an extremely appealing two tone silver dial with tachymeter, featuring Roman numerals at 12 and 6, and Gold batons indexes for the remaining hours. The case is in excellent condition and original hallmarks are still partly visible, which is rare for a 1947 watch...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Classic Chronograph 5070R
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning men's Classic Chronograph wristwatch, crafted in rose gold by Patek Philippe. Featuring a silver dial, applied arabic numbers with a tachymeter scale, a minute track on th...
Rose Gold
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Retrograde 5059J-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Retrograde Reference 5059J-001, featuring a sophisticated perpetual calendar complication, which includes a retrograde date display between 8 and ...
18k Gold
Rare Patek Philippe 5050R 18K Pink Gold Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Switzerland, CH
Beautiful Patek Philippe 5050R Retrograde Perpetual Calendar 18K rose gold case with an 18K rose gold tang buckle Case in excellent condition with clear and bold hallmarks Baton Nume...
Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe Complications Chronograph Yellow Gold Hand Wind Watch 5070J-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Pre Owned Patek Philippe Complications Chronograph Yellow Gold Hand Wind Watch 5070J-001. This Beautiful Timepiece is Powered by Mechanical (Manual) Mo...
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.
