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 Calatrava 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch 5119-J (or 5119J-001)
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch 5119-J (or 5119J-001) - Manual winding. Calatrava. 18k yellow gold case with hobnail bezel and exposition back (36mm diameter). W...
Patek Philippe 5107J Calatrava 18K Yellow Gold Ivory Dial Mens Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This exquisite watch features an automatic self-winding movement. It is equipped with a rhodium-plated mechanism that includes fausses cotes decoration, a straight-line lever escapem...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k Yellow Gold Automatic Watch Ref. 3998J
Located in New York, NY
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 3998J exemplifies the understated elegance that has defined the Calatrava collection for generations. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this refined dress...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Manual Wind Roman Dial Yellow Gold Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Calatrava Manual Wind Roman Dial Wristwatch by Patek Philippe. Model: Calatrava Movement Type: Manual Wind Case Size: 33mm Crystal: Anti-glare Sapphire Weight: 40.6 grams Detail: 18k yellow gold case and buckle Case: 33mm Length: 8" Band: Black Leather Patek Philippe Band Movement: Manual Wind Hallmarks: Patek Philippe Geneve Swiss Made...
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
Patek Philippe Calatrava Vintage Ref 2545 Yellow Gold Mechanical Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950s Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2545, 32 M.M. 18K yellow Gold 2 piece case with Water Proof Back, 18 Jewel, Caliber 12-400 Mechani...
18k 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 Tank Calatrava Ladies Watch - Yellow Gold 14k 3406
By Patek Philippe
Located in Greensboro, NC
Brand: Patek Philippe Model: Tank Calatrava Model Number: 3406 Warranty: 1 year Dial Color: Gold Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Fastening Type: Buckle Clasp Features: Hour Markers,...
14k 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
Patek Philippe Vintage Calatrava Reference 3484 in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A distinguished Patek Philippe Calatrava, model 3484. The round case is meticulously crafted from 18k yellow gold, featuring a champagne sunburst dia...
18k Gold
Cartier Diamond Set 18ct Yellow Gold Maillon Ring
By Cartier
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Cartier Diamond Set 18ct Yellow Gold Maillon Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: COMJ729 Brand: Cartier Model: Maillon Ring Type: Ring Serial Number: undefined Age: 2000 Accompanied By:...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Brilliant Cut Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold 3mm Half Eternity Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. Brilliant Cut Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold 3mm Half Eternity Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: J1736 Brand: Tiffany & Co. Model: Half Eternity Ring Type: Ring Accompanied By...
Cartier 18ct Yellow Gold Love Bangle
By Cartier
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Cartier 18ct Yellow Gold Love Bangle Product Details Xupes Ref: J1710 Brand: Cartier Model: Love Bangle Type: Bracelet RRP: £7,050 Accompanied By: Material(s): 18ct Yellow Gold S...
Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. 0.21ct Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold Diamonds by the Yard Pendant
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. 0.21ct Brilliant Cut Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold Diamonds by the Yard Pendant Product Details J1727 Brand: Tiffany & Co. Model: Diamond by the Yard Necklace Type: Necklac...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. 0.12ct 18ct Yellow Gold Diamonds by the Yard Pendant
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. 0.12ct Brilliant Cut Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold Diamonds by the Yard Pendant Product Details J1728 Brand: Tiffany & Co. Model: Diamond by the Yard Necklace Type:...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier 18ct White Gold, Yellow Gold and Rose Gold Les Must de Cartier Ring
By Cartier
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Cartier 18ct White Gold, 18ct Yellow Gold and 18ct Rose Gold Medium Les Must de Cartier Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: J1596 Brand: Cartier Model: Les Must de Cartier Ring Type: Ri...
Rose Gold, White 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.
