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 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 Calatrava Arte Suizo Signed Watch in 18k yellow gold, 1970s
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 3445 automatic in 18K yellow gold with a silver sunburst dial from the '70s. Keeps great time and is fully functional. It features...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 2449 Yellow Gold Manual wind Vintage Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950-1955 Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2449 Wrist Watch, 35 M.M. diameter x 9 M.M. thick 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, 18 Jewel Caliber 12-120 PS Mechanical, manual wind...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
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
Vintage 1960s Patek Philippe 3310 18K Yellow Gold Champagne Dial Manual 29mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A Window To The Golden Era The 1960s were a period of immense creativity for Patek Philippe, a time when watch design broke free from convention. This reference 3310 is a product of...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 1960s Yellow Gold Ref. 2595 Calatrava Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960 Patek Philippe Reference 2595 Calatrava Wrist Watch, 32 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, Patek logo Crown. Mechanical, Manual wind 18 Jewel, Caliber 23-300 Movement. Sil...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 3998 Caltrava Yellow Gold Automatic Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Patek Philippe Wrist Watch 18k Yellow Gold 34 M.M. 3 piece Water Resistant case, Automatic self-winding movement. Rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, straight-line lever escapement, mono-metallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator, 21K gold rotor. Silver Satin Dial with Raised Gold Markers, Gold Hands and a Sweep Seconds hand, Calendar window at the 3 position. Original Patek Philippe Black...
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
Vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava 3525 32mm Champagne Dial 18k Yellow Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 3525J Model: Patek Philippe Calatrava Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Band: 18k Yellow Gold. Wrist size 7.25 Inch. band has some wear Bezel: 18k Yello...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Diamond Gold Locket Bracelet
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
This very fine Victorian locket-bracelet is adorned with a whimsical Rose Cut diamond floral accent. The long tubular links of the bracelet are very flexible and graduate in size, sm...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold
1960's Twisting Wire & Concentric Circle Stylized Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Identifiably vintage 18k yellow gold bracelet circa 1960. Masterfully fashioned with a twisted wire motif of concentric circles, this bracelet is as fashionable today as when it was ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
d7.85cttw G/VS 18k YG/plat articulating 1960's brac.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A beautiful example of an iconic motif of jewelry design from the 1960's. Meticulously constructed and assembled utilizing twisted wire links interwoven to create an intricate look t...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Stunning Etruscan Revival Double-Sided Bangle Bracelet
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A striking and very impressive Etruscan bracelet, beautifully preserved and a simply incredible example of this celebrated style. The amount of skill that was needed to create this i...
Yellow Gold
4.00 carats Old Mine Cut Diamond Bracelet Silver/14k Yellow Gold Circa 1860
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A exquisite example of an iconic Victorian bangle bracelet. This important antique bangle is adorned with well matched and fine Old Mine Cut Diamonds. The diamonds weigh approximatel...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Retro Tri-Color Gold Link Bracelet
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Faceted links of 18 karat rose gold are alternated with engraved links of 18 karat white gold, while the underside is finished in 18 karat yellow gold. This is a most uncommon means ...
18k Gold, 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.
