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 Antimagnetic 3417 Cream Dial Steel 1962 with Patek Archives
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2333 Brand Patek Philippe Model Antimagnetic Reference 3417 Year 1962 Dial Warm Cream Patina Dial Case Steel Bracelet Strap Diameter 35mm Movement Manual Winding Serviced Yes Bo...
Patek Philippe 18kt. Rose Gold Late Art Deco Round Original Dial from 1940s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe et Cie. STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Art Deco / Reference 2494 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 41 Length X 33 D...
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
Very Rare Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Ellipse Watch Ref. 4831
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Very Rare Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Ellipse Watch Ref. 4831 - Quartz. Ellipse. Yellow Gold with Diamond bezel and articulated lugs ( 35 mm ). White Roman Dial. Black Patek Philippe ...
$19,600Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.79 in L 1.58 in
Patek Philippe 425J "Tegolino" Mens Watch 18k Gold Manual
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Pre-owned 18K gold Patek Philippe 425J "Tegolino" manual watch, circa 1940. Complete with original Patek Philippe box. All case and movement parts original Patek Philippe. Movement in working condition. Features a sub-second dial, calibre 9"90, tonneau-shaped case, elongated lugs, and the prestigious Geneva Seal. Applied hour indexes and tonneau-shaped cases are typical of the industrial designs of the 1940s. Elegant, and sleek lines inspired by American automobile design of the time. ✔ Manufacturer: Patek Philippe ✔ Circa 1943 ✔ Case Number: 793 ✔ Ref Number: 425J ✔ Model: "Tegolino" ✔ Material: 18K yellow gold ✔Calibre: Manual, cal. 9-90, 18 jewels ✔ Bracelet/Strap: Alligator ✔ Clasp/Buckle: 14K gold (signed) ✔ Dimensions: 20mm Width, 40mm Length ✔ Signed: Dial and movement Leather strap and 14k gold buckle not original Patek Philippe parts...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. Calatrava Watch
By Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Model: Calatrava Movement: Manual-Winding Patek Philippe Caliber 30-255 PS Case: 39mm Case Material: 18K rose gold Dial Color: Silvered Complications: Running seconds dial Delivery C...
Rose Gold
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 3978 White Roman Dial 18k YG 1980s
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2324 Brand Patek Philippe Model Ellipse Reference 3978 Year 1990s Dial Blue Sunburst Dial Case 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet Strap Diameter 28mm Length N/A Movement Manual Winding Wei...
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
Rare Patek Philippe 5050R 18K Pink Gold Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Switzerland, CH
Beautiful Patek Philippe 5050R Retrograde Perpetual Calendar 18K rose gold case with an 18K rose gold tang buckle Case in excellent condition with clear and bold hallmarks Baton Nume...
Rose Gold, 18k 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...
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.
