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 5035P Complications Annual Calendar Platinum Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar Platinum Men's Watch 5035P epitomizes luxury craftsmanship. It features an automatic movement with functions including an annual calendar...
Platinum
Patek Philippe Calatrava Travel Time 5134P Platinum Watch W/Archives
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Travel Time 5134P-001 is an exquisite luxury watch that exemplifies classic elegance and sophisticated functionality. Its 37mm platinum case exudes opule...
Patek Philippe 4920G Twenty-4 Stainless Steel Diamond Bezel Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Patek Philippe 4920G Twenty-4 Stainless Steel Diamond Bezel Watch Brand: Patek Philippe Model: 4920G Twenty-4 Reference 4920G Serial: Scrambled Serial Case Material: Stainless Steel...
Diamond, Steel, Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe White Gold Manual Wind Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic Patek Philippe unisex watch. Rectangular 18 karat white gold case 30 x 35 (without lugs) mm, Swiss automatic movement. Subsidiary second...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe Calendar/Moonphase Men's Platinum Watch 5146 P-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Calendar/Moonphase Men's Platinum Watch 5146 P-001 - Automatic winding. Annual Calendar. Platinum waterproof case with exposition back to view movement; single diamond...
$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 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 & Cie, Genève, Stainless Steel circa 1950 collector item
By Patek Philippe
Located in Ermatingen, TG
Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, circa 1950 in stainless steel wristwatch for ladies in the original box Case: Stainless steel. Dial: Matte white with Arabic gold numerals and appli...
Stainless Steel, Steel
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
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar White Gold 5396G-011
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A classic Patek Philippe Annual Calendar wristwatch crafted in white gold. Featuring a silver dial with a 24-hour display, a moon phase indicator, and a date as well as a day apertur...
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.
