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 Rectangular Cushion 18K Yellow Gold 1950s, Ref. 2492
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, BE
Behold the majesty of the Patek Philippe Rectangular Cushion 18K Yellow Gold 1950s Mechanical Men's Watch Ref. 2492, a masterpiece of horolog...
Yellow Gold
$16,600
W 20.5 in L 42 in
Patek Philippe 425J "Tegolino" Iconic Art Deco Watch in Yellow Gold Circa 1951
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Introduction: Patek Philippe 425J "Tegolino" Art Deco watch, measuring 42 x 20.5mm. The watch is powered with a 9"90 caliber 18-jewel manual wind movement # 973396, case# 665160. ...
18k Gold, Yellow 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
Vintage Patek Philippe Gondolo 4866/1J 18 Karat Yellow Gold Quartz Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Maker: Patek Philippe Model: Gondolo 4866/1J Circa: 1990s Materials: 18k Yellow Gold Case: 25mm Movement: Quartz Weight: 100 Grams Size: Fits up to a 7" Wrist - adjustable by removin...
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
$14,950
W 0.6 in L 1.11 in
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 18Kt Solid Yellow Gold Dress Watch circa 1980's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Style / Reference 3490-2 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1980's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 26mm X 26mm ...
18k 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 Calatrava Men's 18k Yellow Gold Watch 3919
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Calatrava Men's 18k Yellow Gold Watch 3919 - Manual winding. Calatrava. 18k yellow gold case with hobnail bezel (33mm diameter). White dial with black Roman numerals a...
Vintage Bueche Girod Caliber 67 Rectangular Curved 18k Yellow Gold Hand Engraved
By Bueche Girod
Located in Montclair, NJ
Watchmaker: Bueche Girod Movement: Swiss Made Hand Wound Mechanical Movement - 17 Jewels - Caliber 67 Case & Bracelet Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Case Size: 35 x 17.5mm (length ...
Yellow Gold
Vintage Universal Geneve 14k Tri Color Gold 22mm Rectangular Mechanical Watch Ca
By Univeral Geneve
Located in Montclair, NJ
Watchmaker: Universal Geneve Movement: Mechanical - Hand Winding - 17 jewels - Swiss Made Case Material: Solid 14k Gold Gross Weight: 22.9 Grams (including case, movement, and strap)...
Gold
Vintage Vacheron & Constantin 18k Gold 32mm Mechanical Wrist Watch Ref. 6031
Located in Montclair, NJ
Watchmaker: Vacheron & Constantin Movement: Mechanical - Hand Winding - 17 jewels - Cal. 1002 Case Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Gross Weight: 35.6 Grams (including case, movement...
18k Gold
Harry Winston 18k Yellow Gold Avenue Mother of Pearl & Diamond Rectangular Watch
By Harry Winston
Located in Montclair, NJ
Watchmaker: Harry Winston Movement: Swiss Made - Quartz Case Material: Solid 18k yellow gold w/ approximately 0.85 carats of the finest quality D/E color, VVS1/VVS2 clarity round bri...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Mens Vintage Jules Jurgensen 14k Gold Rectangular Textured Wrist Watch Bracelet
By Jules Jurgensen
Located in Montclair, NJ
Watchmaker: Jules Jurgensen Movement: Mechanical - Hand Winding - Swiss Made Case Material: Solid 14k Yellow Gold Case Width: 21mm (not counting the crown) Case Thickness: 6.5mm Brac...
14k Gold
Vintage Longines 14k Yellow Gold 22mm Mechanical Rectangular Fancy Lug Watch
By Longines
Located in Montclair, NJ
Watchmaker: Longines Movement: Mechanical - Hand Winding - 17 jewels - Swiss Made Case Material: Solid 14k Yellow Gold Gross Weight: 28.8 Grams (including case, movement, and strap) ...
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.
