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 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 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...
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 18k White Gold Cream Dial Mens Watch 5320G-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned, like-new condition. Comes with an original box and a full paper set. Retail for $101,100 USD. General Information Department: Men Style: Luxury Model Name: Perpetual Cale...
White Gold
Patek Philippe Diamond Bezel Gondolo Square Quartz Watch 4868R
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in very good condition. Free polishing upon request. The watch is fully tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accuracy. It shows light signs of wear. ...
Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Nautilus 27mm 18k Yellow Gold Ladies Watch 4700/530J-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Condition Note: The watch is in pre-owned very good condition with minor signs of wear with age and use. it was never polished. It has been inspected and is keeping time. Please refe...
Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 18K Rose Gold Diamond Chocolate Dial Ladies Watch 4920R
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in good condition. Case size 25x30mm. No original box and papers. Comes with chonostore box.
Rose 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 Annual Calendar Tiffany Limited Ediiton Yellow Gold Watch 5150J
By Patek Philippe
Located in Aventura, FL
Patek Philippe introduced the reference 5150 or “T150” in 2001 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the relationship between Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. This model was offered in yellow, pink, and white gold and produced in a limited production of only 150 examples of each metal. The T150 features the distinctive “T” at 12 o’clock and an officer-style case back which opens to view the celebrated movement. The Patek Philippe 5150...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe "Grand Ellipse" Large Yellow Gold Self Winding Wrist watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Patek Philippe "Grand Ellipse" Wrist Watch 36 x 33 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 3 piece case. Caliber 28-255 Automatic Self winding movement. Gold Satin Dial with Black Roman num...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 3998 Caltrava Yellow Gold Automatic Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Patek Philippe Wrist Watch 18k Yellow Gold 34 M.M. 3 piece Water Resistant case, Automatic self-winding movement. Rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, straight-line lever escapement, mono-metallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator, 21K gold rotor. Silver Satin Dial with Raised Gold Markers, Gold Hands and a Sweep Seconds hand, Calendar window at the 3 position. Original Patek Philippe Black...
18k 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
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.
