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Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe

Geneve, Switzerland

Founded in 1839, Patek Philippe started as a watch and clock manufacturer based in the Vallée de Joux. An area that is known as the home of many watch brands. Antoni Patek formed “Patek, Czapek & Cie” with Franciszek Czapek. However their co-op ended in 1845 and the business was renamed to Patek & Cie. During that period French watchmaker Adrien Philippe joined and in 1851 the company was named Patek Philippe & Cie. When Antoni Patek died in 1877 his position was taken over by a son-in-law of Adrien Philippe. The company came in the hands of the Stern family in 1932 and it still is to date.

Highlights

1839

Company was founded

1851

First time the name Patek Philipp (& Cie) is used

1923

Launch of the world’s first split seconds chronograph

1933

Creation of the worlds most complicated mechanical watch at the time with 24 complications

1949

Patent of the gyromax balance

1962

Reaching the world’s precision record for a tourbillon movement.

1976

Introduction of the iconic Nautilus watch (reference 3700)

1989

Creation of the worlds most complicated mechanical watch at the time with 33 complications

1996

First use of their slogan “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation”.

1997

Introduction of the Aquanaut collection. A model that should target a younger audience than their Nautilus.

2006

The Nautilus reference 5711/1A is being introduced, one of the most sought after watches in the world.

2014

Created one of the worlds most complicated wristwatches at the time with 20 complications

Did you know?

7

Amongst the 10 most expensive watches sold at auction, 7 of them are made by Patek Philippe

Foulkes

Journalist Nick Foulkes wrote the authorized biography on Patek Philippe. A must have

Graves

The creation of the world's most complicated watch in 1933 was especially done for Henry Graves Jr. and is called the 'Graves' watch

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Collections

Aquanaut

Calatrava

Nautilus

Other Patek Philippe Watches

Latest

In Detail – Patek Philippe 5270P – A Platinum Perpetual Chronograph With Salmon Dial