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 Gondolo, Automatic, Ref. 3942, 18 Karat Gold, Full Set
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, DE
This Patek Philippe watch is a prime example of the luxury and precision one would expect from one of the world's leading watch manufacturers. The watch is a true masterpiece of watc...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
White Gold Ladies Wrist Watch by Favre-Leuba, with Diamonds and Blue Sapphires
By Favre Leuba
Located in Berlin, DE
Charming women's jewelry wristwatch in 18 Karat white gold, with diamonds and sapphires. By Favre Leuba. Includes certificate of authenticity. Favre-Leuba is a Swiss manufacturer o...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe 14 Karat Gold Pocket Watch, sold by W. Lennartz-Michels
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, DE
Patek Philippe Gold Pocket Watch, Arabic Enamel Dial Slight signs of wear due to age on the case. Hands possibly replaced. Diameter ...
Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Longines Wittnauer New York Vintage Automatic 14K Gold Diamond Dial Wristwatch
By Longines
Located in Berlin, DE
Including certificate of authenticity.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Heavy Ladies Wristwatch by Piaget, 18 Karat Solid Yellow Gold with Diamonds
By Piaget
Located in Berlin, DE
Heavy ladies watch from Piaget, 18 Karat solid yellow gold with diamonds. Blue Dial and bezel set with diamonds. Mechanical manual wind movement. Watch works fine. Various minor sc...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Nouveau Ladies Wrist Watch, Platinum with Diamonds
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Art Nouveau ladies watch, platinum with diamonds. Case and strap are studded with diamonds throughout. Manual wind movement. Very good con...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Rare Vintage Patek Philippe Ellipse Jumbo 3605 Blue Dial 18K White Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 3605 (3605/2G-200) Model: Vintage Patek Philippe Jumbo Ellipse Case Material: 18K White Gold Band: 18K White Gold Bezel: 18K White Gold Dial:...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt. White Gold with Original Bracelet and Blue Dial, 1970's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe Geneve STYLE / REFERENCE: White Gold Dress Watch / Reference 3468-5 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 18 Jewels / Caliber 23-300 DIAL / HANDS: Original Blue with Baton Markers / Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original 18Kt White Gold Bracelet 18mm Width / 7 1/4 Inches or 18.3cm WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT The legendary house of Patek Philippe created this classic example of a dress watch in the 1970's. The watch appears to have never been used. The bracelet is in exceptional condition, we seldom see Patek Dress Watches...
Vintage 1972 Patek Philippe Ellipse 3781/1 18K WG Blue Sunburst Dial Manual 32mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Golden Ratio In White Gold The Patek Philippe Ellipse is a study in precise, unconventional design, celebrated for its adherence to the golden ratio. The reference 3781/1, rende...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe 3506/3G 18K White Gold Silver Dial Vintage Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Philippe Reference 3506/2 features a case size of 30mm by 27mm from lug to lug, enhancing its vintage charm and making it a comfortable fit on a 6.75-inch wrist. This compa...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Patek Philippe Ellipse 3545/1 18k White Gold Blue 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, its case shape derived from the classical golden ratio. The reference 3545/1 takes this a step furt...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe White Gold Manual Wind Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic Patek Philippe unisex watch. Rectangular 18 karat white gold case 30 x 35 (without lugs) mm, Swiss automatic movement. Subsidiary second...
18k Gold, White 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.
