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 1970s Patek Philippe Ellipse 3589/1 18K Yellow Gold Blue Dial Auto 33mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A More Sculptural Ellipse The reference 3589 represents a specific moment when Patek Philippe took the pure, golden ratio-driven shape of the Ellipse and gave it a more sculptural p...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 3589/1 Sunburst Blue Roman Dial 18k YG Automatic
By Patek Philippe
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2317 Brand Patek Philippe Model Golden Ellipse Reference 3589/1 Year 1970s Dial Sunburst Blue Roman Dial Case 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet 18k Yellow Gold Diameter 17.9 -18.6cm (Adju...
$19,902Sale Price|20% Off
Patek Philippe ellipse 18kt Yellow Gold Manual Wind Wristwatch.
By Patek Philippe
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage 1960s–1970s Patek Philippe 18kt Yellow Gold Manual Wind Wristwatch. Crafted in solid 18kt yellow gold, the watch features a distinctive oval-shaped case with minimalist hour...
Yellow Gold
Vintage Patek Philippe Blue Dial Watch in 18 Karat Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch crafted in 18k yellow gold, featuring an elegant blue dial and integrated woven gold bracelet. Timeless and refined, this Swiss-made timepiece exe...
Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe Vintage Golden Ellipse 18K Yellow Gold Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Skip to the end of the images gallery Skip to the beginning of the images gallery Vintage Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 18K Yellow Gold Wristwatch 1316301 Hardly worn, elegant vintag...
Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 18K Yellow Gold Calatrava 35mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: Automatic, 27-460M Function: hours, minutes, seconds, month, date Case: 35mm round 18K yellow gold case, fixed bezel Dial: champagne index dial Band: 18K yellow gold mesh b...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Round Crystal Dial Leather Strap Wristwatch in Yellow Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A classic Patek Philippe wristwatch, featuring a round dial covered in crystal with hours and hands represented by yellow gold lines. Case and case back are made of 18K yellow gold. ...
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
Vintage 1970s Patek Philippe Ellipse 3584/1 18K YG Champagne Dial Manual 27mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A Design Rooted In Perfect Proportions The Golden Ellipse is one of the three foundational pillars of the Patek Philippe catalog, sitting alongside the Calatrava and Nautilus. Intro...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$19,021
W 0.84 in D 0.22 in L 0.88 in
Patek Philippe Ref. 4461/1 – 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet Watch Sunburst Blue Dial
By Patek Philippe
Located in Antwerp, BE
A refined and highly elegant wristwatch from the esteemed house of Patek Philippe, reference 4461/1, showcasing the brand’s timeless design language and exceptional craftsmanship. Cr...
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.
