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.
Vintage Patek Philippe Wristwatch 18KT White Gold, Circa 1980's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch crafted in solid 18KT white gold, dating to the 1980s and presented with its original integrated bracelet. The watch features a refined square cus...
18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Patek Philippe 3982/1G 18K WG Diamond Sapphire Dial Quartz 32mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Apex Of Horology And High Jewelry This is a high-catalog Patek Philippe, a class of watch that exists beyond the standard production line. The reference 3982 represents a period...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$6,600
H 0.28 in W 0.83 in Dm 0.83 in L 0.79 in
Vintage Zenith Ladies Cocktail Watch 18K White Gold Diamond Bezel
By Zenith
Located in Westport, CT
An original vintage 18K white gold Zenith ladies' cocktail watch, circa 1960s. Featuring a round 18K white gold case with a diamond bezel set with 30 natural diamonds weighing approx...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid White Gold Ladies Dress Watch circa 1970's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Style / Reference 4179-1 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 20mm X Width ...
18k Gold
Retro Ladies Platinum Patek Philippe 11 Carat Diamond Watch & Brooche circa 1950
By Patek Philippe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ladies Original Platinum Patek Philippe set with 11 Carats of Natural Diamonds, Circa 1950. (With Original Attachment Brooche). Total weight of watch an...
Diamond, Platinum
Patek Philippe Ellipse 4832 18K White Gold Pave MOP Dial Ladies Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 4832 Ladies Watch. This watch features a 23mm 18K white gold case adorned with factory-set diamonds. It has a mother-of-pearl dial with gold hands, comp...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Collector 1950s Platinum Diamond Cocktail Wristwatch, Swiss Movement
Located in London, GB
A sophisticated retro 1950s platinum diamond cocktail watch featuring a Swiss mechanical hand-wind movement. The off-white dial with go...
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage Patek Phillipe Platinum and Diamond Ladies Wristwatch Ref. 3128
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Patek Philippe ladies wristwatch is an exceptionally elegant and highly collectible timepiece, combining the prestige of one of the most revered names in horology with t...
Diamond, Platinum
$7,495
W 0.52 in L 1.3 in
1940's Patek Philippe Vintage Ladies Ref. 1189 Watch - 18K White Gold & Diamonds
By Patek Philippe
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
White Gold
Vintage 1970s Patek Philippe Calatrava 3563-3 18K WG Auto Gubelin Dial 35 mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Art Of The Second Signature A retailer's signature on a Patek Philippe dial elevates a watch from a piece of fine watchmaking to a specific historical object. This Calatrava, do...
White Gold
Chopard Happy Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold Floating Diamond Watch, 1976
By Chopard
Located in Zurich, CH
An icon of avant-garde Swiss design, this Chopard Happy Diamonds timepiece is a masterclass in elegance and animation. Originally launched in 1976, the Happy Diamonds collection revo...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier Panthère Stainless Steel Watch with Custom Diamond Bezel, New
By Cartier
Located in Zurich, CH
An iconic classic re-imagined with sophisticated brilliance, this Cartier Panthère features a sleek stainless steel square case framed by a custom aftermarket diamond-set bezel. Reco...
Diamond, Steel, Stainless Steel
Cartier Trinity 18k Tri-Color Gold Diamond Dial Watch, Circa 1996-2000
By Cartier
Located in Zurich, CH
A masterpiece of Parisian elegance, this Cartier Trinity (Reference 2357) is an extraordinary fusion of horology and fine jewelry. The watch features the legendary Trinity bezel—a sy...
Diamond, Gold
Chopard Happy Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold Watch with 7 Floating Diamonds
By Chopard
Located in Zurich, CH
An exquisite blend of playful movement and timeless high jewelry, this Chopard Happy Diamonds Icons is a masterpiece of Swiss luxury. Originally conceived by Chopard in 1976, this re...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre 18K Gold Rectangular Dress Watch, 1970s
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Zurich, CH
The Ultimate Expression of Golden Hour Minimalism and Mid-Century Geometric Sophistication. This vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre rectangular dress watch is a masterclass in understated lux...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Ballon Bleu Stainless Steel Watch with Diamond Bezel
By Cartier
Located in Zurich, CH
An iconic classic elevated with brilliant sparkle, this Cartier Ballon Bleu features a smooth stainless steel case framed by a custom aftermarket diamond-set bezel. Defined by its si...
Diamond, Steel, 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.
