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 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
$41,999
H 1.42 in W 0.36 in Dm 1.42 in
Patek Philippe World Time 18K White Gold Opaline Dial Automatic Watch 7130G-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in good condition. Comes with a Patek travel pouch and Original paper. * Free Shipping within the USA * Two-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can verify the watch's authenticity at any boutique or dealership within this period * Kindly be aware that international buyers must cover any customs taxes or duties imposed by their country. We do not defraud Customs. * Warranties provided by us are exclusively handled by our own certified watchmakers. Brand: Patek Philippe Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Model Number: 7130G-001 Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Style: Luxury Model: Patek Philippe World Time Vintage...
White Gold
$44,999
H 1.42 in W 0.36 in Dm 1.42 in
Patek Philippe World Time 18K White Gold Opaline Dial Automatic Watch 7130G-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in good condition. Comes with a Patek travel pouch and Original paper. * Free Shipping within the USA * Two-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refun...
White Gold
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
Patek Philippe 18 Karat White Gold Tonneau Shape Wristwatch with Carved Bezel
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe, Geneve STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Style / Ref. 3528 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Solid White Gold CIRCA: 1970 DIMENSIONS: Length 38mm X Width 26mm MOVEMENT ...
White Gold
Ladies Patek Philippe Twenty 4 in White Gold with Diamonds
By Patek Philippe
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This crisp, ladies 18K white gold Patek Philippe Twenty 4 wristwatch is a fashionable and impressive timepiece. This is model 4910/G20-010 with factory diamonds and Patek Philippe o...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar 18K Rose Gold Watch 4947R-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Aventura, FL
Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar Rose Gold 4947R 4947 Box Papers. Automatic self-winding mechanical movement. Day and month by hand. Date at 6 o'clock aperture. Sweeping ...
White Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe 18k White Gold Model 3625/1G Haute Joaillerie Full Set
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Maker: Patek Philippe Model: 3625/1G Haute Joaillerie Year: 1981 Material: 18k White Gold and Diamonds Dial: Onyx with Pavé Diamond and Diamond Baguette Bezel Case Measurement: 33mm ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe Platinum Annual Calendar Moonphase Power Reserve Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
This fantastic Patek Philippe Ref. 5056P wristwatch features a fine platinum case with a sapphire crystal, a gray dial with Roman numerals and luminous hands, Annual Calendar, day su...
Platinum
Patek Philippe 4973G Gondolo 18k White Gold Pave Diamond Ladies Watch In Stock
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Patek Philippe 4973G Gondolo 18k White Gold Pave Diamond Ladies Watch Brand: Patek Philippe MPN: 4973G Model: Gondolo Case Material: 18k White Gold Bezel: Pave, Round Brilliant Cut ...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, 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.
