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 Nautilus 5726/1A-010
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An extremely sought after Patek Philippe Nautilus, in stainless featuring the discontinued silvery white dial which displays the day, date, month and features a moon phase display wi...
Stainless Steel
$7,495
W 0.52 in L 1.3 in
1940's Patek Philippe Vintage Ladies Ref. 1189 Watch - 18K White Gold & Diamonds
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...
White Gold
Patek Philippe Twenty~4, Ref. 7300/1200A-011
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
7300/1200A - TWENTY~4 WATCH Self-winding mechanical movement. Caliber 324 S C. Date in an aperture. Sweep seconds. WATCH Self-winding mechanical movement. Caliber 324 S C. Date ...
Diamond, Steel
Vintage 1970s Patek Philippe Calatrava 3563-3 18K WG Auto Gubelin Dial 35 mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Art Of The Second Signature A retailer's signature on a Patek Philippe dial elevates a watch from a piece of fine watchmaking to a specific historical object. This Calatrava, do...
White Gold
$32,999
H 1.46 in W 0.4 in D 1.46 in Dm 1.46 in L 1.46 in
Patek Philippe Neptune 37mm 5085/1A-001 Steel Black Dial Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in good condition. No original box and papers. Free polishing upon request. The watch is fully serviced and tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accu...
Steel
Patek Philippe Ladies Nautilus 4700/055J Cream Dial Pave Diamond Bezel
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2248 Brand Patek Philippe Model Nautilus Reference 4700/055J Year 1990s Dial Cream Diamond Dial Case Factory Pave Diamond Bezel, 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet Diamond Bracelet, 18k Ye...
Patek Philippe Ladies Watch 3006 White Gold 18k Manual Vintage
By Patek Philippe
Located in Greensboro, NC
Brand: Patek Philippe Model Number: 3006 Movement: Manual Number of Jewels: 18 Warranty: 1 year Movement Maker: Swiss Dial Color: Silver Metal Content: 18k White Gold Fastening Typ...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe 4910 Twenty-4 Grey Dial Diamond Steel Ladies Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Ladies Watch featuring a sophisticated grey dial accented with genuine factory-set diamond hour markers and luminescent baton hands. The watch is powered by q...
Steel
Patek Philippe Nautilus 4700/1JA Two-Tone Ladies Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This Ladies' Patek Philippe Nautilus 4700/1JA features a 27mm stainless steel case complemented by a smooth 18K yellow gold bezel. The black dial is adorned with gold hands and index...
Steel
Patek Philippe Classique White Gold and Diamond Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Patek Philippe Classique White Gold and Diamond Watch Details: Face hallmark: Patek Philippe Stamped on strap clasp: 750, Patek Philippe,...
Diamond, White 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.
