Patek Philippe Watches

Patek Philippe Watches: The History

Credited with making the first wristwatch in 1898, Patek Philippe was originally launched under a different name. Francois Czapek, a watchmaker, and Antoine Norbert de Patek, a businessman created Patek, Czapek & Cie in Geneva. Eventually, they parted ways and Czapek founded Czapek & Cie with a new partner, Juliusz Gruzewski. On the other hand, Patek forged a partnership with French watchmaker Adrien Philippe, the inventor of the keyless winding mechanism, and started making timepieces under the new company name Patek & Cie in 1845. On January 1, 1851, the company’s name was officially changed to Patek, Philippe & Cie. The original watch crafted by Patek Philippe included a split-seconds hand, perpetual calendar, minute repeater and chronograph. For a company considered new and up-and-coming, this was an impressive feat at the time. In 1932, the company was purchased by the Stern family, and Patek has evolved and come quite a far way from its humble beginnings. In fact, in 2002 alone, the company produced more than 40,000 watches. Today, Patek Philippe watches are still sold for high prices due to their intricate mechanical features and unique look, evident in their Complications and Grand Complications collections—a master class in horological complexities and artful design.

Patek Philippe Watch Collections

• Nautilus

  Launched in 1976, the Nautilus is the epitome of the luxury sport category. This model is known for its ingenious horizontally embossed dial and porthole construction of its case. Browse iconic models like the Nautilus 5711.

• Aquanaut

  Known for its salt water and UV resistant “tropical” strap, the Aquanaut was introduced in 1997. Inspired by the Nautilus, this octagon shaped watch was released as a more casual and colorful alternative.

• Calatrava

  Elegant and classic, the Calatrava is Patek Philippe’s renowned line of simplistic dress watches. Since its introduction in 1932, this timeless watch design has endured over 80 years.

• Grand Complications

  This collection is home to some of the most prestigious watches in the luxury market. Discover horological complications from the brand’s signature minute repeaters and perpetual calendars, to impressive tourbillons and split-second chronographs.

• Complications

  Presenting an array of unrivaled timepieces with useful and hand-crafted complications, this collection features Annual Calendars, dual time zones, and World Time displays.

• Gondolo

  Known for its rectangular, tonneau, or cushion-shaped cases, the first Gondolo wrist watches were introduced in the early 1920s. Since its introduction, this collection has evolved into contemporary ladies watches.

Patek Philippe Complications

• Minute Repeater

  Since 1839, Patek Philippe has had a passion for chiming watches. In 2020, the brand released the Grande Sonnerie, Ref 6301P, a wristwatch that features the elaborate sound function. Not only does the minute repeater complication mark the time, it’s a work of art that adds to the character of their watches.

• Annual Calendar

  Patek Philippe’s Annual Calendar complication was patented in 1996. This mechanism indicated the date for months of 30 and 31 days and needs only one correction per year, February 28 or 29 to March 1.

• Perpetual Calendar

  Patek created its first perpetual calendar pocket watch in 1864 and the first perpetual calendar wrist watch in 1925. Since then, this complication has become a staple in many of their Grand Complications models.