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 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 Calatrava 5022G White Porcelain Dial 18k WG Manual Winding
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2322 Brand Patek Philippe Model Calatrava Reference 5022G Dial White Porcelain Dial Case 18k White Gold Bracelet Strap Diameter 33mm Movement Manual Winding Serviced Yes Box No ...
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 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 3506/3G 18K White Gold Silver Dial Vintage Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Philippe Reference 3506/2 features a case size of 30mm by 27mm from lug to lug, enhancing its vintage charm and making it a comfortable fit on a 6.75-inch wrist. This compa...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe Skeleton Back Hand Wind Men's Conversion Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Patek Philippe pocket watch conversion watch pairs the character of a classic pocket watch movement with the versatility of a wris...
Silver
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
Vintage Patek Philippe 18K Gold 35mm Manual Wind Watch on Leather
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Patek Philippe Geneve Calavatra manual-wind wristwatch in 18K yellow gold featuring a 35mm round case with distinctive T-bar lugs and brushed silver dial with subsidiary seco...
18k Gold
1970’s Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse d‘Or White Gold Blue Dial Ref. 3848
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, DE
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse d‘Or White Gold Blue Dial Ref. 3848. This elegant wristwatch by Patek Philippe made of 18 carat white gold with a blue dial is the perfect watch for th...
$24,495
W 1.38 in L 1.58 in
1950's Patek Philippe Vintage Mens Ref. 2532 "Grande" Calatrava Watch - 18K Gold
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...
18k 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.
