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 1480R Massive Polished Rose gold rectangular watch, Circa 1942
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Introduction: Patek Philippe 1480R Rose gold Polished rectangular watch, measuring 39 x 24 mm The dial is rose with a gilt champagne overtones, with raised rose gold Arabic nume...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Patek Philippe 1049R Early Rare Vintage Post War Ladies Square Watch Circa 1947
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Introduction: This Patek Philippe 1049R ladies small square strap watch is 18K Rose gold, measuring 24 x 17 mm with a 6"'60 caliber movement #866162 and case #510798. It comes with ...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 1566J Vintage Square Retro Watch Unisex Watch Circa 1947
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Introduction: This 1566J Patek Philippe vintage square watch features large fancy lugs and a 18K yellow gold measuring 26 x 26 mm, with 10"-200 caliber manual wind movement #950651 a...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 2279J Ladies Rectangular wristwatch with very unusual Conical sha
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Patek Philippe 2279J Vintage Ladies Rectangular wristwatch with very unusual Conical shape pyramid lugs. The watch was made in 1950; and measures 28 x 15mm. The watch is fitted ...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 2545 Vintage Water Resistant Large version of the 96 Circa. 1955
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Introduction: Patek Philippe 2545J; Vintage screw down water resistant Calatrava, measuring 32mm. This reference model replaced the Ref. 96 with a water resistant case, and measur...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 1471J Early Calatrava Watch with long down turned lugs Circa 1943
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Introduction: Patek Philippe 1471J Early Calatrava watch made in18K yellow gold, with a 3 body case measuring 31mm. The watch is fitted with an 10-105 caliber 18-jewel movement # ...
18k Gold
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...
Patek Philippe 130 18K Rose Gold Vintage Watch W/Archives-1952
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Patek Philippe Chronograph 130 in 18k rose gold, reference 130. Features a silvered dial with rose gold Roman numerals at 6 and 12 o'clock. The watch has a 33 mm manual-wind movement...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Genève Vintage Square 18K Gold Wristwatch, Circa 1940s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Wailea, HI
Patek Philippe Genève Vintage Square 18K Gold Wristwatch, Circa 1940s Exquisite Patek Philippe Reference 2444 "Carré" in 18K Yellow Gold This exceptional Patek Philippe Reference 244...
18k 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 Rose Gold Automatic Watch Ref 2584, circa 1956
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Large Round Bracelet / Reference 2584 METAL / MATERIAL: 18k Solid Rose Gold DIMENSIONS: Length 36mm X Diameter 36mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Automatic Winding / 36 Jewels / Cal. 12-600 AT CIRCA: 1956 DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered Dial / Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: 18k Solid Rose Gold Bracelet / 19cm or 7.5" Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This extremely rare watch is full size and comes with an original Patek Philippe signed...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Vintage Rose Gold "Top Hat" Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Patek Philippe 18k Rose Gold "Top Hat" 37 x 21 M.M. 2 Piece 18k Rose Gold case. Caliber 9-90 18 Jewel Nickle Lever, Mechanical, manual wind movement. Silver Satin dial wi...
18k Gold, Rose 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.
