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.
$19,140Sale Price|25% Off
Dm 0.91 in
Vintage Patek Philippe 18K Gold Ladies Champagne Dial Mesh Bracelet Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Patek Philippe ladies wristwatch features a two-tone champagne dial with gold bar hour indexes and gold baton hands, housed in an 18K solid yellow gold cushion-square case wi...
Gold
Patek Philippe Ellipse 4139/1 18K Gold Ladies Bracelet Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in London, GB
This authentic Patek Philippe Ellipse Reference 4139/1 ladies’ 18K gold bracelet watch pairs a finely textured gold dial with an elegant oval case and integral gold bracelet. Dating ...
18k 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
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 18 Karat Gold Men's Bracelet Watch with Gold Dial, from 1973
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Cie. STYLE / REFERENCE: Men's Oval Bracelet Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA: 1973 DIMENSIONS: Length 35mm X Diameter 30mm MOVEMENT / ...
Patek Philippe “Ellipse” 18K Gold Dress Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Tysons, VA
This Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse reference 3545/2 exemplifies late-modern elegance in 18K yellow gold. The polished cushion-elliptical case frames a textured gilt dial with black b...
18k Gold
Ladies Vintage Patek Philippe Ellipse 19MM 3370/1J 18K Yellow Gold Manual Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Patek Philippe Gender: Ladies Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold Diameter: 19.00 mm Weight: 73.10 grams PATEK PHILIPPE Ladies 18K yellow gold, PATEK PHILIPPE Swiss made wristwat...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$25,312Sale Price|25% Off
Dm 1.23 in
Patek Philippe Grand Ellipse Vintage 18K Gold Quartz 31mm Unisex 1980 Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Authentic Pre-Owned Patek Philippe Grand Ellipse 3838 Unisex 18K Yellow Gold Watch. Vintage, circa 1980. Featuring a 31mm dial with a smooth gold bezel, cream-white ivory enamel dial, raised gold button hour markers, and Dauphine hands. Perfectly functioning quartz E27 movement with 6-jewels. Hidden deployment clasp with Patek Philippe hallmark. This watch is an excellent timepiece for the seasoned watch collector or enthusiast. 18K solid gold, textured integral bracelet, and very good condition quintessentially Patek. Initially designed as a men's watch, but suitable today for both men and woman. _______________ General Watch Details: - Brand: Patek Philippe - Model: Grand Ellipse - Model No.: 3838 - Serial No.: 150**** - Era: Circa 1980 Movement Details: - Movement: Quartz - Caliber: E27 - Jewels: 6-Jewel Dial Details: - Width: 31mm - Color: Ivory Enamel (Cream-White) - Hour Markers: Raised gold button - Hands: Dauphine - Height: 35mm - Bezel: 18K Gold Smooth - Crystal: Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Bracelet Details: - Metal: 18K Yellow Gold - Closure: Hidden Deployment - Size: Fits 7.5 Inch Wrist - Width: 9.2mm - Thickness: 2mm Swiss Made. Condition: All original Patek Philippe parts...
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Patek Philippe Ellipse 3589/1 18K YG Red Sunburst Dial Auto 33mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Red Sunburst Dial The reference 3589/1 demonstrates how the Ellipse became a canvas for Patek Philippe's more expressive designs in the 1970s. While many examples were fitted wi...
18k Gold, 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
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.
