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 & Cie. A Gold Open Face Pocket Watch C1914
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Patek Philippe & Cie Genève. A Gold Open Face Keyless Lever Pocket Watch Retailed by Federico Tornotti Torino-Roma C1914. Dial: The super white enamel dial signed Patek Philippe...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Rare Gold Quarter Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Patek Philippe. A Rare 18ct Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Quarter Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch Retailed by H. Pleister 312 Regent Street London. C1880s. Dial: The beautiful white e...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe. A Rare Gold Hunter Chronograph 1908
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Patek Philippe. A Rare 18ct Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Hunter Chronograph Pocket Watch C1900. Dial: The excellent white enamel dial fully signed Patek Philippe & Cie Geneve with blac...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 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
Baume Swiss Full Hunter Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Pocket Watch, C1890s
By Baume
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Baume. A Swiss 18ct yellow gold, full hunter keyless lever minute repeater pocket watch, C1890s. Dial: A perfect white enamel Roman numeral dial with outer minute track and subsidiary seconds dial with blued steel spade hands and blued steel seconds hand. Case: The heavy Swiss hallmarked 18ct yellow Gold case with monogram to front cover and dated 23rd April 1900. The back cover is plain as is the inner cuvette. All cases are numbered and hallmarked. The push button to make the watch chime is to the side of the case. Movement: The beautifully signed movement by Baume, which is fully jewelled has compensated balance and tourbillion style bridge which is a very unusual layout for a minute repeater. The highly polished fly wheel which is visible on the top plate together with the polished hammers to the side. This repeating watch...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Rare Prince Yellow Gold Dress Pocket Watch 8753 C1920
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Rolex Prince. A very rare 38mm 18ct yellow gold dress pocket watch with a specially made chain by Rolex, C1920. Dial: The excellent cream dial with batons and crown signed Rolex Officially Certified Chronometer with original dagger hands and large subsidiary dial at six o'clock. Case: The Rhombus designed 18ct yellow gold case with a plain satin finished back. The case was never made with a bow only a chain with a clip signed Rolex, designed to be attached to a waste coat or to be put in the breast pocket with the clip attached to the lapel. The case fully signed Rolex ,numbered and Swiss hallmarked. Movement: The rhombus style movement is of exceptional high quality. Nickel finished fully jewelled, signed Rolex with Rolex Patent...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe ref 600 Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950 Patek Philippe reference 600 Pocket Watch, 43 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 3 piece case, 18 Jewel, mechanical, manual wind Nickle lever movement. Original and Mint condition Silve...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Savonnette Pocket Watch Triple Signed 18 Karat Yellow Gold 1891
By Patek Philippe
Located in Baltimore, MD
Patek Philippe Savonnette Pocket Watch Triple Signed 18 Karat Yellow Gold 1891 Metal: 18k yellow gold Weight: 65.3 grams Case: 47mm, 57mm to end of crown stem Serial: 256368 Signed...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco 1920s Patek Philippe & Cie Gold Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold. Signed by Patek Philippe Circa early 1920s 43.4 mm face
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Antique Pocket Watch 18K Yellow Gold White Enamel Dial 1891 Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Aventura, FL
An exceptional and historically significant Patek Philippe pocket watch, manufactured on January 13, 1891, during the golden era of Geneva watchmaking. This watch features a classic ...
Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1913 Patek Philippe Pocket Watch for Retailer Spaulding and Company , 45 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 4 piece case including the Yellow Gold Cuvette (Dust Cover) Greek Key Pattern Blue...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid Gold Art Deco Pocket Watch circa 1893
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1893 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 51mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Windi...
18k 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.
