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 Nautilus Service Sealed 5712R-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rose gold Nautilus by Patek Philippe. Featuring a horizontally embossed black brown dial with a small seconds sub-dial, a date, a power reserve indicator and a moon phase display. ...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
PATEK PHILIPPE 18K White Gold Nautilus, Gray Dial
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Basic Information - Brand: Patek Philippe - Model: Nautilus - Reference number: 5711G-001 - Movement: Automatic - Case Size: 40mm - Dial: Gray - Case Material: 18K White Gold - Brace...
18k Gold, White Gold
PATEK PHILIPPE Nautilus Vintage watch steel/yellow gold and diamonds
By Patek Philippe
Located in London, England
PATEK PHILIPPE Nautilus Vintage Lady steel/yellow gold 18k with factory diamonds. Ladies' wrist watch, ref. 4700/52. Stainless steel/yellow gold 18K, case number 2876844, bezel set ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Steel
Patek Philippe Nautilus 4700/1JA Two-Tone Ladies Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This Ladies' Patek Philippe Nautilus 4700/1JA features a 27mm stainless steel case complemented by a smooth 18K yellow gold bezel. The black dial is adorned with gold hands and index...
Steel
Patek Philippe Nautilus Rose Gold Stainless Steel Blue Dial Mens Watch 5980/1AR
By Patek Philippe
Located in Aventura, FL
5980/1AR - Patek Philippe Nautilus Self winding With the rounded octagonal shape of its bezel, the ingenious porthole construction...
Rose Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe Nautilus 3800 Two-Tone Gold Steel Watch, 1995 Set
By Patek Philippe
Located in Zurich, CH
The Definitive Gérald Genta Icon, Presented in Immaculate, Complete Neo-Vintage Grandeur. This Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference 3800 represents the pinnacle of late-20th-century sp...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Rare Patek Philippe Nautilus 3712/1A-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Very Rare Stainless Steel Nautilus Wristwatch by Patek Philippe. Featuring a black-grey dial with applied hour markers, small seconds, date and moon phase display as well as a powe...
Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726/1A-010
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An extremely sought after Patek Philippe Nautilus, in stainless featuring the discontinued silvery white dial which displays the day, date, month and features a moon phase display wi...
Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe Nautilus 4700/051 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Nautilus 4700/051 ladies' watch. 27mm 18K yellow gold case with a smooth 18K yellow gold bezel. Ivory dial with gold hands and Roman numeral hour markers. Date display...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph NOS 5990/1A-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A now discontinued model, this Nautilus Travel Time in stainless steel by Patek Philippe is in unworn NOS condition. Featuring a black gradated horizontally embossed dial that featur...
Stainless Steel
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.
