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.
Industrial Era Post Office Box Tower
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A tall narrow oak tower fitted with 14 boxes with metal plaques on the doors and monogram US, each with two combination locks for security and glass panels. Open backs for the postal...
Metal
Liberty Barcelona Luxury Safe by Döttling
Located in New York, NY
Around the world, Döttling luxury safes find homes among select connoisseurs and enthusiasts of the finest locksmith artisanry. They originate from the Döttling manufactory in Sindel...
Leather
Liberty 4 Luxury Safe by Döttling
Located in New York, NY
Around the world, Döttling luxury safes find homes among select connoisseurs and enthusiasts of the finest locksmith artisanry. They originate from the Döttling manufactory in Sindelfingen – in the heart of a region, which contains well-known companies like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, and which stands for Swabian ingenuity like no other. In this environment, we restore and build our bespoke safes with elaborate craftsmanship. What makes our objects so unique is our standard of unparalleled beauty and unique quality. We share this standard with our customers, putting it into practice every day. The Liberty is a true quality safe that meets the highest standards, without breaking all limits in terms of economic feasibility. Covered with the finest calfskin or high-gloss lacquered on the outside and elegant Alcantara inside, with high-gloss polished fittings and an opulent enclosed input unit, the Liberty is a true Döttling safe...
Leather
$17,486
H 10.63 in W 9.85 in D 5.91 in
Rare Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos cal. 548 ATMOS ATLANTIS Phase de Lune, Mondphase
Located in Berlin, DE
A fine and rare late 20th century Swiss rhodium plated 'Atlantis' atmos clock with moonphase Jaeger LeCoultre, Caliber 548 The wedge-shaped glass case with detachable front panel si...
Steel
The Gallery Luxury Safe by Döttling
Located in New York, NY
Around the world, Döttling luxury safes find homes among select connoisseurs and enthusiasts of the finest locksmith artisanry. They originate from the Döttling manufactory in Sindel...
Leather
Glass and Chrome Long Case Clock Attributed to Pace Furniture
By Pace Furniture Company
Located in Denton, TX
Stunning tower of glass with a by-pod base and mirrored clock dial, This runs on a battery movement so no need to wind .
Chrome
Jaeger LeCoultre Gold-Plated Atmos Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Jaeger LeCoultre Gold-plated Atmos clock with round dial and Roman numerals. Ruby jewelled movement signed ‘Jaeger-Le-Coultre’ with oscillating pendu...
Gold Plate
Wallmaster Luxury Safe by Döttling
Located in New York, NY
Around the world, Döttling luxury safes find homes among select connoisseurs and enthusiasts of the finest locksmith artisanry. They originate from the Döttling manufactory in Sindel...
Faux Leather
Liberty 5 Luxury Safe by Döttling
Located in New York, NY
Around the world, Döttling luxury safes find homes among select connoisseurs and enthusiasts of the finest locksmith artisanry. They originate from the Döttling manufactory in Sindelfingen – in the heart of a region, which contains well-known companies like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, and which stands for Swabian ingenuity like no other. In this environment, we restore and build our bespoke safes with elaborate craftsmanship. What makes our objects so unique is our standard of unparalleled beauty and unique quality. We share this standard with our customers, putting it into practice every day. The Liberty is a true quality safe that meets the highest standards, without breaking all limits in terms of economic feasibility. Covered with the finest calfskin or high-gloss lacquered on the outside and elegant Alcantara inside, with high-gloss polished fittings and an opulent enclosed input unit, the Liberty is a true Döttling safe...
Leather
Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos III Mid Century Swiss Clock Caliber 526
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
This is a remarkable Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos III clock from the 1960s, a true icon of Swiss horology. Powered by the famous caliber 526, this mid-century piece carries an approximate ...
Metal
Empire Tekmessa and Eurysakes Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Mythological Mantel Clock Deschamps à Paris Circa 1810 A refined expression of Neoclassical elegance, this Empire mantel clock reflects the early 19th-century fascination wit...
Bronze
Polyphon Autochange Disk Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
As exceptionally scarce as it is fascinating, this autochange disk player by the Polyphon Musikwerke in Leipzig, Germany can change between six disks and play with the incredibly rare addition of bells that accompany the music. Before a coin is dropped into the slot, slide the brass indicator until it points to the desired music selection, insert a penny, and the chosen song will play automatically. An extremely limited number of these automatic disk changers were ever created, and even fewer have survived in such outstanding condition. Standing over seven feet tall, this particular model boasts a magnificent walnut case with handsome burl panels on its original, matching storage cabinet. A true technical marvel for its day, Polyphon’s automatic disk changer symbolizes pure ingenuity and superlative craftsmanship. This antique player...
Brass
The Linke Grand Regulator World's Fair Clock
By François Linke
Located in New Orleans, LA
Grand Regulator World's Fair Clock François Linke Circa 1900 Widely regarded as the greatest sculptural clock ever created, this monumental régulateur by François Linke was conceived as a statement for the 1900 Paris Universal Exposition, a moment when the world’s finest artisans competed on an international stage. Linke, the most celebrated ébéniste of the Belle Époque, was awarded the prestigious gold medal for his display, which critics described as “the biggest event in the history of furnishing art in the year 1900.” Designed in collaboration with the sculptor Léon Messagé, the clock exemplifies Linke’s ambition to elevate furniture and timepieces to the realm of fine art. The clock represents over a decade of design and craftsmanship. Only six examples of this model were ever completed due to the extraordinary labor and cost involved. Building just one had a production cost of 22,966 francs, the equivalent of approximately eight years' wages for the average French worker in 1900. The clock is illustrated on the spine of Christopher Payne’s definitive monograph on Linke. Mahdi Al-Tajir, one of the world’s most important collectors, later acquired the present model. Another is located at Whitehall, the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. It was acquired by Rockefeller’s partner, Henry Flagler...
Marble, Ormolu
Swiss Nema Cipher Machine
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Swiss-engineered cipher machine is a fascinating piece of 20th-century military and engineering history, and this particular example is one of the ...
Metal
Vincenti et Cie Mantel Clock for Bailey, Banks & Biddle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Wooden Mantel Clock Vincenti et Cie Late 19th century The mechanism is marked "Vincenti et Cie, Médaille d'Argent 1855, Made in France." Vincenti et Cie, established in 1823 by Jean Vincenti in Montbéliard, was revitalized by Albert Roux in 1829, who expanded and innovated the company. Under Roux's leadership, the firm continued its Montbéliard operations and opened a store in Paris in 1850 on Rue d'Anjou in the Marais. The company earned a silver medal (Médaille d'Argent) at the 1855 Exposition Universelle, for which this clock bears the mark "Médaille d'Argent, 1855," symbolizing its excellent craftsmanship. The clock dial is marked Bailey, Banks & Biddle for the oldest nationwide jeweler in America, originally founded in 1832 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company is one of America's most prestigious retailers, known for creating the updated and final version of the Great Seal of the United States as well as the first 40,000 Purple Heart medals...
Oak
19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...
Mahogany
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.
