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.
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
Important German Neoclassical Table Clock by David Roentgen
By David Roentgen
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An important and rare table clock from the workshop of David Roentgen. The case with an oval stepped plinth top with gilt bronze handle, decoration of the case with ormolu mille raie banding, beaded edges and brass fluted columns to the front flanking the square brass dial, foliate engraved spandrels to the corners, centred by the white enamel Arabic chapter ring, signed Delolme, pierced brass hands, convex glazed bezel, square plated eight-day movement with four back-pinned pillars, verge escapement, silk suspension, rack and count wheel strike, striking the hours and quarters on two bells above, the back plate also signed, glazed side panels. There is only a small series of comparable table clocks from the workshop of David Roentgen known. The present clock seems to be the first example of the cooperation between David Roentgen and the court clockmaker Delolme in Brunswick. The case is meticulously crafted and both case and movement are of superb quality. David Roentgen, called the "most celebrated ébéniste in Europe" by his contemporaries, was a successful entrepreneur who transformed the business founded by his father, Abraham Roentgen...
Bronze
Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos "Caliber 540" Mantel Clock
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Astoria, NY
Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos "Caliber 540" Mantle Clock, 1987, brass and glass, the circular the dial with Arabic and diamond form indices, marked "Atmos / Jaeger-LeCoultre / Thirteen (13)...
Brass
Jaeger LeCoultre desk clock
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jaeger LeCoultre desk clock 1952 model (very rare) 8-day winding Mid-century style Swiss origin circa 1950 Perfectly working Some wear on the patina due to use Jaeger-LeCoultre is a ...
Metal
Atmos Jaeger LeCoultre Clock Gold Plated 287992 1960s
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Miami, FL
An Atmos clock by Jaeger-LeCoultre. Gold plated and glass frame. In very clean condition.
Brass
$5,699 / item
H 11.03 in W 8.67 in D 6.3 in
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Royale from 1980, Table Clock that LIVES ON AIR
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Royale Ref. 5855 Switzerland Gold-plated and lacquered brass Year of manufacture 1980 Dimensions: H x W x D: 28 x 22 x 16 cm Description: Atmos Royale Ref...
Brass
$7,676
H 10.63 in W 6.7 in D 6.3 in
Jaeger LeCoultre, Desk Clock, Atmos Prestige, Limited Edition, 1980s
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Greven, DE
Atmos Clock - "Prestige" by Jaeger LeCoultre with original box Switzerland Gold-plated brass 1980s Dimensions: H x W x D: 27 x 17 x 16 cm Description: The Atmos Prestige from Jaeg...
Brass
Table Clock Empire Period France
Located in New York, NY
A mantel clock made during the Empire period 1790-1820 in France. Made from burnished gilt bronze. The Greek God Apollo is playing the lyre with his feet resting on a guilded stool.
Bronze
$8,852
H 6.5 in W 3.15 in D 2.96 in
Engraved Eight-Day Striking and Repeating Carriage Clock by Perregaux Au Locle
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A superb high quality eight-day striking and repeating carriage clock, signed on the enamel dial PERREGAUX AU LOCLE, circa 1870. The superb engraved gilt gorge brass case has facetted glass panels to all sides so that the movement is almost entirely visible. The top has a large rectangular window which allows full view of the original silvered platform escapement. At the back, there is a glazed door giving access to the winding and setting arbors, the functions of which are explained indications in French. The clock is surmounted by a typically shaped carrying handle. The rectangular enamel dial has a Roman chapter ring with an outer minute track with five-minute markers. The time is indicated by a fine pair of blued-steel fleur-de-lys hands. Below is a smaller subsidiary Arabic ring...
Brass
Fine quality antique carriage clock by Mappin and Webb
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fine quality antique carriage clock by Mappin and Webb, having a fine quality antique carriage clock with beautiful floral fretwork frontage sur...
Brass
Cartier Art Deco Table Clock
By Cartier
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Art Deco period table clock by Cartier is an extremely rare find and in a class of its own. Crafted of black lacquer, no detail was spared by the famed firm in creating this hig...
Silver, Brass
Joe DiMaggio's Presentation Desk Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
From the personal collection of the legendary Joe DiMaggio, this incredible vintage desk clock was presented to the Yankee Clipper by Harrah's for his par...
Brass
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
Monumental Three-Train Bracket Clock by J.C. Jennens & Sons
Located in New Orleans, LA
This intricately detailed 19th-century bracket clock from famed English firm J.C. Jennens & Sons is monumental in size, likely made for one of the great world exhibitions or perhaps to put in the firm's own store window. The eight-day timepiece has a triple fusee...
Bronze
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
Early Electric Regulator Clock by Vigreux Brillié
By Vigreux & Brillie
Located in New Orleans, LA
Early Electric Mantel Regulator Clock Vigreux Brillié Circa 1900 This rare and important early electric mantel regulator by the distinguished French firm Vigreux Brillié represents ...
Onyx, Bronze
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.
