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.
William Spratling First Period “Tree Of Life” Silver And Copper Brooch
By William Spratling
Located in Water Mill, NY
William Spratling Tree Of Life Rare Silver And Copper Brooch… 1940-1946 First Design Period…Taxco, Mexico… Stamped William Spratling…and Stamped Spratling/ Silver….Designed as an Abs...
Silver, Copper
William Spratling Sterling Hands Necklace
By William Spratling
Located in Water Mill, NY
William Spratling Sterling Rare Yin Yang Hands Necklace
Malachite, Sterling Silver
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
Art Deco Platinum Diamond Ladies Watch, French Case, Swiss Movement, Circa 1925
Located in PARIS, FR
Art Deco Platinum & Diamond Ladies Wristwatch – French Platinum Case – Circa 1920–1925 Elegant Art Deco ladies wristwatch dating from approximately 1920–1925, combining a French...
Diamond, Platinum
Patek Philippe for Shreve Crump & Low Platinum Diamond 1920s Ladies Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Patek Philippe Ladies Bracelet Wrist Watch retailed by Shreve Crump & Low, 24 X 13 M.M. Platinum case set with Old cut Diamonds. Hand Engraved ...
Diamond, Platinum
Enchanting Art Deco Platinum Ladies Wristwatch with Diamonds, Valmon Geneve
Located in Berlin, DE
Enchanting Art Deco platinum ladies wristwatch with diamonds. Manual winding. Very good original condition. The movement can be wound up and works. Measurements without bracelets...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Platinum Watch 2.40 TCW VS2 G/H Antique 17.5g Manual 6/5"
Located in Puyallup, WA
Introducing a work of art and a testament to exquisite craftsmanship, this Platinum Art Deco Watch. Adorned with exquisite natural diamonds, this timepiece stands as a statement of s...
Diamond, Platinum
French Art Deco Diamond and Platinum Cocktail Wristwatch, Circa 1930
Located in London, GB
A late Art Deco, diamond and platinum cocktail watch, set with approximately 10.00ct of old-cut diamonds. The dial is rectangular and is painted with black, Art Deco style, Arabic nu...
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.
