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.
Vintage 1972 Patek Philippe Ellipse 3781/1 18K WG Blue Sunburst Dial Manual 32mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Golden Ratio In White Gold The Patek Philippe Ellipse is a study in precise, unconventional design, celebrated for its adherence to the golden ratio. The reference 3781/1, rende...
18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Patek Philippe Ellipse 3545/1 18k White Gold Blue Dial Manual 32mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A Subversion Of The Golden Ratio The Patek Philippe Ellipse is an icon of design, its case shape derived from the classical golden ratio. The reference 3545/1 takes this a step furt...
18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Patek Philippe Ellipse 3545 18K WG Blue Linen Dial Manual 32mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
An Unbroken Object Of Gold The Golden Ellipse arrived in 1968 to explore what happens when a watch case is neither round nor rectangular. The proportions are drawn from the golden s...
18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Patek Philippe Calatrava 3445 18K WG Blue Sunburst Dial Auto 35mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Calatrava That Broke Its Own Rules The Calatrava is the reference point for the round Patek dress watch, and most people picture it exactly one way, yellow gold on a leather str...
18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1990s Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 3848 18K YG Blue Dial Manual 27mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Graduated Blue Sunburst Dial Metallic blue sunburst finishing gives this Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 3848 a deep cobalt dial. Slim applied yellow gold baton hour markers and match...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 3491/3G - 18K White Gold Blue Linen Dial
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A Refined Expression Of The Seventies The 1970s was a period where Patek Philippe focused heavily on the continuity of design between the case and the bracelet. This reference 3491/...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe ellipse 18K White Gold Blue Dial Automatic Watch W/ Archives
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Golden Ellipse is truly unique, balancing the shapes of a circle and a rectangle. Its minimalist design is enhanced by its application of the “golden ratio,” giving it a wo...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Ellipse 3548G Reprinted-Blue Dial 18K White Gold Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Philippe Ellipse 3548G watch features a 27mm case made of 18K white gold, complemented by an 18K white gold bezel. It showcases a reprinted blue dial adorned with white gol...
18k Gold
Rare Patek Philippe Ellipse Jumbo 3605 Blue Dial 18K White Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 3605 (3605/2G-200) Model: Patek Philippe Jumbo Ellipse Case Material: 18K White Gold Band: 18K White Gold Bezel: 18K White Gold Dial: Blue Face: Sapp...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe Blue Dial With Extract Manual Watch 18k White Gold 3799-1 Men’s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Patek Philippe Manual 18k White Gold Ref No. 3799-1 100% Authentic Vintage Patek Phillip Recently serviced. Gender: Men Brand/Designer:...
18k Gold, White Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt. White Gold with Original Bracelet and Blue Dial, 1970's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe Geneve STYLE / REFERENCE: White Gold Dress Watch / Reference 3468-5 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 18 Jewels / Caliber 23-300 DIAL / HANDS: Original Blue with Baton Markers / Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original 18Kt White Gold Bracelet 18mm Width / 7 1/4 Inches or 18.3cm WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT The legendary house of Patek Philippe created this classic example of a dress watch in the 1970's. The watch appears to have never been used. The bracelet is in exceptional condition, we seldom see Patek Dress Watches...
Patek Philippe 3930A stainless steel Ellipse Blue Sunburst Dial, Circa 1985
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Patek Philippe 3930A stainless steel Ellipse watch, measuring 28.5 x 33.5mm with a center lug configuration. The watch has a Blue starburst sigma dial, with white gold baton indexes...
Stainless Steel
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.
