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 – Ref. 3355/8, Lady’s Vintage Haute Joaillerie Dress Watch, 18K
By Patek Philippe
Located in Antwerp, BE
PATEK PHILIPPE – Ref. 3355/8, Lady’s Vintage Haute Joaillerie Dress Watch, 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond-Set Bezel with Integrated Mesh Bracelet, Manual-Wind Movement, Circa 1970s Ove...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe For Gübelin 4457/1 Double Signed 18K Gold 23mm Manual Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Double signed vintage Patek Philippe for Gübelin ref. 4457/1 manual wind wristwatch in 18K yellow gold, featuring a white dial with black Roman numerals, black square minute track, b...
18k Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe 18K Gold Dress Watch with Integrated Mesh, 26 mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in Tysons, VA
This mid-century Patek Philippe reference 3503/2 features a 26 mm square case in 18K yellow gold with a crisp white dial set with applied baton markers and pencil hands. The case flo...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 18 Karat Gold Dress Style with Original Blue Dial, circa 1990
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Cie STYLE / REFERENCE: Square / Reference 4183 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1990's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 33mm X Width 25mm M...
1955 Patek Philippe Vintage Ladies Fancy Lug Watch - 18K 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...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Ladies 18k Rose Gold & Diamond Watch 4910/11R
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Ladies 18k Rose Gold & Diamond Watch 4910/11R - Quartz. Twenty-4. 18k rose gold case set with 34 diamonds (25mm x 30mm). Silver white dial with diamond marker...
Patek Philippe 18 Karat Gold Men's Bracelet Watch with Gold Dial, from 1973
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Cie. STYLE / REFERENCE: Men's Oval Bracelet Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA: 1973 DIMENSIONS: Length 35mm X Diameter 30mm MOVEMENT / ...
Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Ref. Diamonds 4920R-010 in 18k Rose Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, BE
Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Ref. 4920R-010 25 × 30 mm quartz wristwatch in 18k rose gold, with a total weight of 60 g. Includes the large box and papers for the bracelet.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
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
Patek Philippe 3322 Ladies Yellow Gold Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Patek Philippe Reference 3322 Wrist Watch. 16 x 20 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case with hand Texturing, 20 Jewel Mechanical, manual wind Nickle lever movement, Patek Ph...
18k Gold, Yellow 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.
