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.
Retro Ladies Platinum Patek Philippe 11 Carat Diamond Watch & Brooche circa 1950
By Patek Philippe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ladies Original Platinum Patek Philippe set with 11 Carats of Natural Diamonds, Circa 1950. (With Original Attachment Brooche). Total weight of watch an...
Diamond, Platinum
Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. Lady's Platinum Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Platinum Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, for Tiffany & Co, circa 1924, is a fine Art Déco, platinum, diamonds and onyx rectangular,women's wristwatch with platinum and diamond mesh ba...
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
Vintage Patek Phillipe Platinum and Diamond Ladies Wristwatch Ref. 3128
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Patek Philippe ladies wristwatch is an exceptionally elegant and highly collectible timepiece, combining the prestige of one of the most revered names in horology with t...
Diamond, Platinum
$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
Vintage 1980s Patek Philippe 3982/1G 18K WG Diamond Sapphire Dial Quartz 32mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Apex Of Horology And High Jewelry This is a high-catalog Patek Philippe, a class of watch that exists beyond the standard production line. The reference 3982 represents a period...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
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
Patek Philippe White Gold Baguette Diamond Bracelet Manual Wind Watch 'Ref 4138'
By Patek Philippe
Located in Banbury, GB
Preowned, excellent condition vintage Patek Philippe 18k white gold ladies wristwatch. An 18k White Gold bracelet, winder, jewellery clasp and factory fitted baguette diamond bezel w...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe 18 Karat White Gold Tonneau Shape Wristwatch with Carved Bezel
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe, Geneve STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Style / Ref. 3528 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Solid White Gold CIRCA: 1970 DIMENSIONS: Length 38mm X Width 26mm MOVEMENT ...
White Gold
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch 4920G (4920)
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch 4920G (4920) - Quartz. Twenty-4. 18k white gold case with diamond bezel (25mm x 30mm). Grey dial with diamond hour markers and...
Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Ladies Platinum and Diamond Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Ladies Wrist Watch, 26 X 9 M.M. 2 Piece Platinum Case set with European cut Diamonds totaling 1 Carat, the case sides and back are fu...
Diamond, Platinum
Boucheron Paris Diamond White Gold Wristwatch
By Maison Boucheron
Located in Geneva, CH
Boucheron Paris Diamond 18K White Gold Wristwatch Set with 8 diamonds. French marks. Circa 1950. Reference number: 72608. Case dimensions: 2.20 x...
Diamond, White Gold
Movado 1970S Diamond White Gold Wristwatch
By Movado
Located in Geneva, CH
Movado Diamond White Gold Wristwatch. Circa 1970. Wrist length: approx. 18.00 centimeters. Case dimensions: 1.70 x 0.90 centimeters. We do not guaran...
Diamond, White Gold
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold 18K Wristwatch 1960S
By Patek Philippe
Located in Geneva, CH
Patek Philippe Wristwatch ref. 3503/5 in 18K Gold. CIRCA: 1967 CASE NUMBER: 2650836 MOVEMENT NUMBER: 1137844 REF.: 3503 CASE MATERIAL: 18K y...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chopard Diamond Gold 18K Wristwatch
By Chopard
Located in Geneva, CH
Chopard Diamond 18K white gold wristwatch. White Rectangle dial. Signed Chopard. Numbered 13/6973-20. 559119, 488 1. Swiss marks. This beautiful Cho...
Diamond, Gold
Diamond Watch
Located in Geneva, CH
Watch in white gold 18kt set with 4 pear-shaped diamonds 1.28 cts case dial and bracelet set with 354 diamonds 4.87 cts quartz movement. We do not guarantee the functioning of this ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cartier Roadster Diamond White Gold 18K Wristwatch
By Cartier
Located in Geneva, CH
Cartier Roadster Diamond White Gold 18K Wristwatch. Signed Cartier, numbered and marked. Fully polished. Wrist length: 15.5 centimeters. Additional links available on request. Extra...
Diamond, 18k Gold, 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.
