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 Gondolo, Automatic, Ref. 3942, 18 Karat Gold, Full Set
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, DE
This Patek Philippe watch is a prime example of the luxury and precision one would expect from one of the world's leading watch manufacturers. The watch is a true masterpiece of watc...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$23,500
W 0.71 in L 0.95 in
Vintage Patek Philippe Les Grecques Model 4731/2 18 Karat Yellow Gold Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Maker: Patek Philippe Model: Les Grecques 4731 / 2 Year: 1980s Material: 18k yellow Gold Dial: Gold Case Measurement: 18mm x 24mm Movement: Quartz Weight: 52 Grams Size: Fits Up t...
18k Gold, Yellow 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 Ref. 4283/1 – 18K Yellow Gold Integrated Bracelet Watch – 1970/80
By Patek Philippe
Located in Antwerp, BE
An elegant and refined vintage wristwatch by Patek Philippe, reference 4283/1, crafted in 18K yellow gold and dating to the late 1970s–1980s. This sophisticated timepiece exemplifies...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold 18K Wristwatch 1960S
By Patek Philippe
Located in Geneva, CH
Patek Philippe Wristwatch ref. 3503/5 in 18K Gold. CIRCA: 1967 CASE NUMBER: 2650836 MOVEMENT NUMBER: 1137844 REF.: 3503 CASE MATERIAL: 18K y...
18k Gold, Yellow 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
1950's Patek Philippe for Tiffany Vintage Mens 18K Gold Watch - Very Fine
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
18 kt Gold Patek Philippe Million Dollar Associate Wrist Watch Ref 3565
Located in Antwerp, BE
GOLDEN PATEK PHILIPPE 'MILLION DOLLAR ASSOCIATE' with Patek Philippe Extract From The Archives Ref 3565 from 1969 MOVEMENT: automatic, 27-460M FUNCTIO...
18k Gold, Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe Hour Glass 2468 Silver Dial Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
This 22 mm vintage Patek Philippe Hour Glass in yellow gold is in fine condition. Features a silvered dial with a small seconds display at 6 ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
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.
