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 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...
Patek Philippe Calatrava 3588-1 18K White Gold Silver Dial Automatic 35mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Retailer Stamp Of Approval The Calatrava has been the purest expression of Patek Philippe's dress watch identity since 1932. It is a design language built on restraint and perfe...
18k Gold, White 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
Vintage Patek Philippe Wristwatch 18KT White Gold, Circa 1980's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch crafted in solid 18KT white gold, dating to the 1980s and presented with its original integrated bracelet. The watch features a refined square cus...
18k Gold, White Gold
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
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
$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
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...
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 Calatrava Ref 2449 Yellow Gold Manual wind Vintage Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950-1955 Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2449 Wrist Watch, 35 M.M. diameter x 9 M.M. thick 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, 18 Jewel Caliber 12-120 PS Mechanical, manual wind...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lapponia by Björn Weckström Finland S/S " Bridge To The Moon " Bracelet 1974
By Björn Weckström for Lapponia
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Lapponia by Björn Weckström sterling silver " Bridge To The Moon ' bracelet is part of the Space Silver collection that was inspired by Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to wal...
Sterling Silver
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.
