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.
Longines Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Automatic Leather Strap Watch Circa 1950
By Longines
Located in Baltimore, MD
Longines Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Automatic Sub Seconds Leather Strap Watch Circa 1950 Metal: 14k yellow gold Movement: Automatic Case: 34mm 14k yellow gold Crystal: Acrylic Refe...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Keys 18 Karat Yellow Gold Key Pendant Charm 2 Inch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Baltimore, MD
Tiffany & Co. Keys 18 Karat Yellow Gold Key Pendant Charm 2 Inch Metal: 18k yellow gold Weight: 13.5 grams Length: 2 inches Signed: Tiffany & Co. 750 Bale opening: 5mm RLDD F35002316
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vacheron Constantin LeCoultre White Gold Mystery Dial Galaxy Watch
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Baltimore, MD
Vacheron Constantin LeCoultre White Gold Mystery Dial Galaxy Watch Metal: 14k white gold case Case: 33.5mm Lug width: 18mm Dial: Silver Crystal: Acrylic Markers: Diamonds Strap: Liz...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Old European Cut Natural Diamond Pendant Necklace
Located in Baltimore, MD
14 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Old European Cut Natural Diamond Bezel Set Pendant Necklace Metal: 14k yellow gold Weight: 2.86 grams Diamond: Approx. 0.85 carats J SI1, 6MM Length: 18 ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Gurhan 18 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Diamond Pendant Drop Chain Link Necklace
By Gurhan
Located in Baltimore, MD
Gurhan 18 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Diamond Pendant Drop Chain Link Necklace Metal: 24k/ 18k yellow gold Weight: 3.33 grams Diamonds: Approx. 0.08 CTW H-I SI round natural diamonds ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Diamond Circle Pendant Necklace
Located in Baltimore, MD
14 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Diamond Circle Pendant Necklace Metal: 14k yellow gold Weight: 1.47 grams Diamonds: .08 CTW natural round diamonds G-H SI Length: 16 inches Circle: 9mm ...
Diamond, Yellow 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
Tiffany & Company Patek Philippe Antique Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920 Patek Philippe for Tiffany & company Pocket watch, 45 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 4 piece case including Gold inside Dust Cover. 20 Jewel, mechanical, manual wind nickle leve...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18kt Yellow Gold Patek Philippe & Cie Savonette / Hunter Case Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Antwerp, BE
18kt Yellow Gold Patek Philippe & Cie Savonette / Hunter Case Pocket Watch Movement: Manual winding. Period: Early 20th century Case: 18K Yellow gold polished case, diameter 50 mm, thickness 11 mm Dial: White enamel with black Arabic Breguet numerals...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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 XIX Century Open-Face 18k Gold Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Patek Philippe XIX Century Open-Face Gold Pocket Watch dated January 13 1891 Serial number 96510 and contrast number 213206 Expressly made for JJ Freman Toledo, O Beautiful 43m/1.69 in 18k gold case external lid. Internal lid is plain. Gold sphere, rubys. Protecting cover and front opening. Roman numerals. Porcelaine of sphere is scratched on right down side condition, Working condition t 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 Geneva last November, in case anyone’s wondering). 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. 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...
Ruby, 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
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.
