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 Rosę Gold Fully Loaded Diamond Set 5719/10R-010
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An unworn mens Nautilus wristwatch crafted in rose gold by Patek Philippe. Featuring a stunning pave diamond dial with 3 baguette cut hour markers and a ...
Diamond, Rose Gold
$159,996Sale Price|20% Off
Patek Philippe Nautilus Stainless Steel All Diamond Moon Phase Dial Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This luxurious Patek Philippe Nautilus timepiece combines the brand’s iconic design with an exquisite array of aftermarket diamonds for a truly dazzling look. The 40mm stainless stee...
Diamond, White Diamond, Steel, Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe 5711 All Diamond Watch 18 Karat in Stock
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Patek Philippe Case Material: 18k White Gold Case Diameter: 40mm Crystal: Scratch resistant sapphire Bezel: Triple row of round shape Diamonds (aftermarket) Dial: All round sh...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
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 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 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 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...
$29,334
H 1.19 in W 0.99 in
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 4920R-001 18k Rose Gold Diamond Bezel Chocolate Dial
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 4920R-001 18k Rose Gold Diamond Bezel Chocolate Dial Ladies Watch This beautiful Patek Philippe Twenty4/4920R/001 Watch is in excellent condition and is read...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Patek Philippe Ladies Nautilus 4700/055J Cream Dial Pave Diamond Bezel
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2248 Brand Patek Philippe Model Nautilus Reference 4700/055J Year 1990s Dial Cream Diamond Dial Case Factory Pave Diamond Bezel, 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet Diamond Bracelet, 18k Ye...
Patek Philippe "Twenty 4" with Diamonds-Set Bezel in 18K Rose Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Lucerne, CH
A timeless expression of elegance and romance, the Patek Philippe "Twenty 4" Reference PPC 7300/1200R-010 RG750 is crafted entirely in luxurious 18K rose gold. Its beautifully rounde...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Datejust Two Tone Diamond Dial Mens Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Mens Rolex- Datejust Date: 1978 34 mm Preowned Diamond Dial Reference: 1500 18kt yellow gold and stainless steel
Diamond, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex GMT-Master II Root Beer Rose Gold & Steel Men's Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex GMT-Master II Root Beer Rose Gold & Steel Men's Watch
Rose Gold, Steel
Diana M 18 Karat Rose Gold Diamond Linked Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
18k Rose Gold Diamond Linked Bracelet features 6.02 carats of white and black diamonds. (also has matching earrings and pendant) 154.6 of gold
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Platinum 23.00 Carat Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Deco Diamond bracelet with marquise, baguette and round diamonds. Three large marquise stone, total weight of diamonds 23.00 carats Circa 1950's Like...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Rolex Datejust 18kt Yellow Gold/Stainless Steel Mens Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Mens Rolex- Datejust Date: 1972 36 mm Preowned Reference: 1600 18kt yellow and stainless steel
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Diana M 6.00 Ct Gold Leaf Art Deco Diamond Bracelet
By Diana M. Jewels
Located in New York, NY
18 kt yellow gold art deco bracelet with approximately 6.00 cts of diamonds within 7 rows with leaf design on petals (88.90gr. FG VS/SI 0.75" width)
Diamond, Gold, 18k 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.
