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 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 37.5mm Mid-Size 7234R-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A discontinued 37.5mm mid-size Complications Calatrava Pilot Travel Time reference 7234R-001, crafted in rose gold by Patek Philippe. Features a brown sunburst black gradated dial wi...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava 5022G White Porcelain Dial 18k WG Manual Winding
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2322 Brand Patek Philippe Model Calatrava Reference 5022G Dial White Porcelain Dial Case 18k White Gold Bracelet Strap Diameter 33mm Movement Manual Winding Serviced Yes Box No ...
Patek Philippe 5035P Complications Annual Calendar Platinum Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar Platinum Men's Watch 5035P epitomizes luxury craftsmanship. It features an automatic movement with functions including an annual calendar...
Platinum
Patek Philippe Calatrava 3588-1 18K White Gold Silver Dial Automatic 35mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Retailer Stamp Of Approval The Calatrava has been the purest expression of Patek Philippe's dress watch identity since 1932. It is a design language built on restraint and perfe...
18k Gold, White Gold
$270,000
W 1.15 in D 0.48 in L 2.01 in
Patek Philippe 5101P 10-Day Tourbillon Platinum Watch Original Strap
By Patek Philippe
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Patek Philippe Reference 5101P 10-Day Tourbillon is a masterpiece of mechanical sophistication and understated elegance. Crafted in solid platinum, its distinctive rectangular ca...
Platinum
Patek Philippe Calatrava Travel Time 5134P Platinum Watch W/Archives
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Travel Time 5134P-001 is an exquisite luxury watch that exemplifies classic elegance and sophisticated functionality. Its 37mm platinum case exudes opule...
2001 Patek Philippe Calatrava 5022G-012 18K WG White Enamel Breguet Dial 33mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Pinnacle Of Patek's Dress Watch Identity The Calatrava is the purest expression of Patek Philippe's design philosophy, but not all are created equal. This reference 5022G moves ...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 3583 / 1 White Gold Gents Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980 Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse Reference 3583 / 1 Wrist Watch, 34 x 26 M.M. 18k White Gold 3 piece case, 18 jewel mechanical, manual wind nickle lever movement , original W...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar White Gold 5146/1G-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Complications Annual Calendar in white gold by Patek Philippe reference 5146/1G-001. Featuring a cream lacquered dial with a typical annual calendar display. The dial also features...
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
Patek Philippe Calendar/Moonphase Men's Platinum Watch 5146 P-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Calendar/Moonphase Men's Platinum Watch 5146 P-001 - Automatic winding. Annual Calendar. Platinum waterproof case with exposition back to view movement; single diamond...
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch 5119-J (or 5119J-001)
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch 5119-J (or 5119J-001) - Manual winding. Calatrava. 18k yellow gold case with hobnail bezel and exposition back (36mm diameter). W...
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch 4920G (4920)
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch 4920G (4920) - Quartz. Twenty-4. 18k white gold case with diamond bezel (25mm x 30mm). Grey dial with diamond hour markers and...
Breguet Marine Titanium Chronograph Men's Watch 5527TI/Y1/9WV
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Marine Titanium Chronograph Men's Watch 5527TI/Y1/9WV - Automatic winding. Marine Automatic. Titanium case with exposition back (42mm diameter). Blue dial with Roman numerals...
Titanium
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...
Breitling Aerospace Men's Rose Gold Limited Edition Watch R79362
By Breitling
Located in Dallas, TX
Breitling Aerospace Men's Rose Gold Limited Edition Watch R79362 - Super Quartz; 100th second chronograph. Aerospace. 18K Rose gold case; Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel with...
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.
