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.
Vintage 1970s Patek Philippe Ellipse 3584/1 18K YG Champagne Dial Manual 27mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A Design Rooted In Perfect Proportions The Golden Ellipse is one of the three foundational pillars of the Patek Philippe catalog, sitting alongside the Calatrava and Nautilus. Intro...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Patek Philippe Ellipse 3605/001 18K YG Champagne Dial Auto 33mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A Departure From The Circle Introduced in 1968, the Patek Philippe Ellipse was a significant departure from traditional watch design, occupying a space between a circle and a rectan...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe “Ellipse” 18K Gold Dress Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Tysons, VA
This Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse reference 3545/2 exemplifies late-modern elegance in 18K yellow gold. The polished cushion-elliptical case frames a textured gilt dial with black b...
18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Patek Philippe 3310 18K Yellow Gold Champagne Dial Manual 29mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A Window To The Golden Era The 1960s were a period of immense creativity for Patek Philippe, a time when watch design broke free from convention. This reference 3310 is a product of...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Grand Ellipse Vintage 18K Gold Quartz 31mm Unisex 1980 Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Authentic Pre-Owned Patek Philippe Grand Ellipse 3838 Unisex 18K Yellow Gold Watch. Vintage, circa 1980. Featuring a 31mm dial with a smooth gold bezel, cream-white ivory enamel dial, raised gold button hour markers, and Dauphine hands. Perfectly functioning quartz E27 movement with 6-jewels. Hidden deployment clasp with Patek Philippe hallmark. This watch is an excellent timepiece for the seasoned watch collector or enthusiast. 18K solid gold, textured integral bracelet, and very good condition quintessentially Patek. Initially designed as a men's watch, but suitable today for both men and woman. _______________ General Watch Details: - Brand: Patek Philippe - Model: Grand Ellipse - Model No.: 3838 - Serial No.: 150**** - Era: Circa 1980 Movement Details: - Movement: Quartz - Caliber: E27 - Jewels: 6-Jewel Dial Details: - Width: 31mm - Color: Ivory Enamel (Cream-White) - Hour Markers: Raised gold button - Hands: Dauphine - Height: 35mm - Bezel: 18K Gold Smooth - Crystal: Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Bracelet Details: - Metal: 18K Yellow Gold - Closure: Hidden Deployment - Size: Fits 7.5 Inch Wrist - Width: 9.2mm - Thickness: 2mm Swiss Made. Condition: All original Patek Philippe parts...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe For Gübelin 4457/1 Double Signed 18K Gold 23mm Manual Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Double signed vintage Patek Philippe for Gübelin ref. 4457/1 manual wind wristwatch in 18K yellow gold, featuring a white dial with black Roman numerals, black square minute track, b...
18k Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe 18K Gold Dress Watch with Integrated Mesh, 26 mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in Tysons, VA
This mid-century Patek Philippe reference 3503/2 features a 26 mm square case in 18K yellow gold with a crisp white dial set with applied baton markers and pencil hands. The case flo...
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Patek Philippe Ellipse 3545 18k YG Champagne Dial Manual 32mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A Subversion Of The Golden Ratio The Patek Philippe Ellipse is an icon of design, a case shape derived from the classical golden ratio that is neither round nor rectangular. The ref...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
c. 1970 Patek Philippe Vintage Mens Handwound, Ref. 3459 Disco Volante Style
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 18 Karat Gold Men's Bracelet Watch with Gold Dial, from 1973
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Cie. STYLE / REFERENCE: Men's Oval Bracelet Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA: 1973 DIMENSIONS: Length 35mm X Diameter 30mm MOVEMENT / ...
Vintage 1970 Jaeger-LeCoultre Club 18KT Gold Rectangular Bracelet Watch
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 1970 Jaeger-LeCoultre Club is housed in a 14.5mm x 21mm 18KT yellow gold rectangular case on a matching integrated textured bracelet. The gold-tone dial carries baton ho...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Bucherer 18KT Yellow Gold Rectangular Dress Watch – Manual Wind
By Bucherer
Located in New York, NY
A refined 1970s Bucherer dress watch, featuring a 27mm x 22mm rectangular 18KT yellow gold case, embodying the understated elegance of the era. The pearlized dial is adorned with sle...
18k Gold
Vintage 1955 LeCoultre Ref. 3036 14KT Gold Sub-Seconds Dress Watch
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 1955 LeCoultre Ref. 3036 is housed in a 32.5MM 14KT yellow gold case with a silver dial and applied gold stick markers. A sub-seconds register sits at 6 o'clock, adding ...
14k Gold
Vintage 1930s Zenith Jumbo 18KT Gold Curved Rectangular Art Deco Dial
By Zenith
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 1930s Zenith wristwatch is housed in an oversized 48.5MM x 26MM 18KT yellow gold curved rectangular case, built to the "Jumbo" proportions collectors seek from the era. ...
18k Gold
Vintage Circa 1940 Hamilton 14KT Yellow Gold-Filled Curved Watch – Manual Wind
By Hamilton
Located in New York, NY
A classic circa 1940 Hamilton dress watch, featuring a 28mm x 33mm curved 14KT yellow gold-filled case, designed for a refined and comfortable fit. The silver dial is elegantly adorn...
14k Gold
Vintage 1940 Omega 14KT Gold Sub-Seconds Dress Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This elegant vintage Omega dress watch from circa 1940 exemplifies the understated sophistication and precision craftsmanship that defined Swiss watchmaking during the era. The watch...
14k 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.
