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.
Vintage 1980s Universal Genève 18K YG Manual Skeleton Dial 30 mm
By Universal Genève
Located in New York, NY
The center is the show At first glance you see black. Then you notice the gold skeleton work opening up the middle of the dial. This Universal Genève from the late 1980s to early 19...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1990s Croton Skeleton 18K Yellow Gold Manual Wind 33 mm
By Croton
Located in New York, NY
A Clear View Of Classic Watchmaking A skeleton dial strips a watch down to its mechanical essence, revealing the intricate world of gears and springs that power it. Doing so in a so...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Audemars Piguet Pocket Watch Skeleton 18K Yellow Gold Manual 42mm
By Audemars Piguet
Located in New York, NY
A Masterclass In Horological Art Before the Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet built its reputation on producing some of the most refined and technically complex dress watches in the world....
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
1970s Audemars Piguet Skeleton Pocket Watch 18K Yellow Gold Manual 42mm
By Audemars Piguet
Located in New York, NY
An Exhibition Of Pure Craft Before the Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet built its legacy on high-complication and dress watches of the highest order. This skeletonized pocket watch from the 1970s is a definitive statement of that heritage. It represents a form of watchmaking where the movement itself is the dial, and the artistry of the engraver is the main event. Pieces like this were created in exceptionally small numbers, showcasing the pinnacle of the manufacture's hand-finishing capabilities for its most discerning clients. A Rare And Elevated Specification This is not a standard execution. While any AP skeleton watch...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe Skeleton Back Hand Wind Men's Conversion Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Patek Philippe pocket watch conversion watch pairs the character of a classic pocket watch movement with the versatility of a wris...
Silver
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 / ...
$70,878
D 0.41 in Dm 1.46 in
Platinum Vacheron Constantin Skeleton Watch, Automatic, Les Historique, Limited
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Antwerp, BE
Extremely Beautiful Platinum Vacheron Constantin Skeleton Watch from the Les Historiques , Malte Collection limited to 247 Pieces worldwid...
Platinum
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
$11,245
W 1.07 in L 1.46 in
1940's Patek Philippe Vintage Mens 18K Gold Watch - Very Fine & Rare with Warran
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
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 Perpetual Calendar Retrograde 5059J-001
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Retrograde Reference 5059J-001, featuring a sophisticated perpetual calendar complication, which includes a retrograde date display between 8 and ...
18k Gold
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Squelette Skeleton 43502/000G
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A white gold Patrimony Squelette by Vacheron Constantin from their Les Complications collection. Features a skeleton dial complemented by a diamond set white gold bezel. Fitted with sapphire crystal and a manual wind movement which can be seen via the exhibition case back. The watch comes with a generic black leather strap that is equipped with a Vacheron white gold...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe. A Rare Gold Hunter Chronograph 1908
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Patek Philippe. A Rare 18ct Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Hunter Chronograph Pocket Watch C1900. Dial: The excellent white enamel dial fully signed Patek Philippe & Cie Geneve with blac...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Patek Philippe Rare Gold Quarter Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Patek Philippe. A Rare 18ct Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Quarter Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch Retailed by H. Pleister 312 Regent Street London. C1880s. Dial: The beautiful white e...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe & Cie. A Gold Open Face Pocket Watch C1914
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Patek Philippe & Cie Genève. A Gold Open Face Keyless Lever Pocket Watch Retailed by Federico Tornotti Torino-Roma C1914. Dial: The super white enamel dial signed Patek Philippe...
Gold, 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.
