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 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 Cream Dial 18k YG 1970s
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2268 Brand Patek Philippe Model Calatrava Year 1970s Dial Cream Dial Case 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet 18k Yellow Gold Diameter 34.5mm Length 19.4cm Movement Manual Winding Weight 79...
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 Antimagnetic 3417 Cream Dial Steel 1962 with Patek Archives
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2333 Brand Patek Philippe Model Antimagnetic Reference 3417 Year 1962 Dial Warm Cream Patina Dial Case Steel Bracelet Strap Diameter 35mm Movement Manual Winding Serviced Yes Bo...
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 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 Golden Ellipse 3978 White Roman Dial 18k YG 1980s
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2324 Brand Patek Philippe Model Ellipse Reference 3978 Year 1990s Dial Blue Sunburst Dial Case 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet Strap Diameter 28mm Length N/A Movement Manual Winding Wei...
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
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 “Ellipse” 18K Gold Dress Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Tysons, VA
This Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse reference 3545/2 exemplifies late-modern elegance in 18K yellow gold. The polished cushion-elliptical case frames a textured gilt dial with black b...
18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Platinum Forever Half Diamond Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Platinum Forever Half Diamond Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: J1708 Brand: Tiffany & Co. Model: Forever Half Diamond Ring Type: Ring RRP: £6,100 Accompanied By...
Cartier 18ct White Gold Bangle
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Cartier 18ct White Gold Bangle Product Details Xupes Ref: J1711 Brand: Cartier Model: Love Bangle Type: Bracelet Serial Number: K***** RRP: £7,550 Accompanied By: Cartier Box, Carti...
Cartier Diamond Set 18ct Yellow Gold Maillon Ring
By Cartier
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Cartier Diamond Set 18ct Yellow Gold Maillon Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: COMJ729 Brand: Cartier Model: Maillon Ring Type: Ring Serial Number: undefined Age: 2000 Accompanied By:...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier 18ct White Gold Juste Un Clou Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Cartier 18ct White Gold Juste un Clou Bracelet Product Details Xupes Ref: J1284 Brand: Cartier Model: Juste un Clou Bracelet Type: Bracelet Serial Number: H***** RRP: £8,200 Accompa...
18k Gold, White Gold
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Platinum Forever Half Diamond Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Platinum Forever Half Diamond Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: J1612 Brand: Tiffany & Co. Model: Forever Half Diamond Ring Type: Ring RRP: £6,100 Materi...
Diamond, Platinum
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Platinum Forever Half Diamond Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Platinum Forever Half Diamond Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: J1705 Brand: Tiffany & Co. Model: Forever Half Diamond Ring Type: Ring RRP: £6,100 Accomp...
Diamond, Platinum
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.
