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 Vintage Ref 2545 Yellow Gold Mechanical Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950s Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2545, 32 M.M. 18K yellow Gold 2 piece case with Water Proof Back, 18 Jewel, Caliber 12-400 Mechani...
18k 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 18K Yellow Gold Calatrava 35mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: Automatic, 27-460M Function: hours, minutes, seconds, month, date Case: 35mm round 18K yellow gold case, fixed bezel Dial: champagne index dial Band: 18K yellow gold mesh b...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Vintage Calatrava Reference 3484 in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A distinguished Patek Philippe Calatrava, model 3484. The round case is meticulously crafted from 18k yellow gold, featuring a champagne sunburst dia...
18k 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
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 Calatrava Yellow Gold Men's Watch Ref. 96
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava Yellow Gold Men's Watch Ref. 96 - Manual winding. Calatrava. 18K Yellow Gold (30 mm). Silver dial with raised lapped gold indexes and a small seconds...
Patek Philippe Calatrava Arte Suizo Signed Watch in 18k yellow gold, 1970s
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 3445 automatic in 18K yellow gold with a silver sunburst dial from the '70s. Keeps great time and is fully functional. It features...
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.
