Patek Philippe watches

Welcome to our Patek Philippe history page

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Patek Philippe watch history

Patek Philippe is a Swiss watch manufacturer located in Geneva. Founded in 1839 by Count Antoine Norbert de Patek and his compatriot Francois Czapek, the earliest watches were signed Patek, Czapek & co. Several years later Czapek left and French watch maker Jean Adrien Philippe joined. He later became the inventor of the company's famous stem-winding and hand setting mechanism. Queen Victoria herself was a client in 1851, acquiring a key-wound Patek Philippe watch in a pendant style plus an exclusive timepiece worn pinned to clothing. The watch suspended from a diamond and enamel brooch.

From the middle of the 19th century, Patek Philippe had a leading role in the Swiss watch making industry. As early as 1867 Patek Philippe displayed watches featuring functions that were to become the standard for complicated watches at the beginning of the 20th century; namely a perpetual calendar, a repeater, and a chronograph with split-seconds. In 1932, Patek Philippe changed hands, and its new owners became Charles and Jean Stern. Shortly after World War II, Patek Philippe established an electronic division, and in the 1950s pioneered quartz technology, filling several patents and winning multiple awards.

Today, Patek Philippe SA, Geneva, is still a family company, owned jointly by its president, Mr Henry Stern, and his son and Vice President, Mr Philippe Stern. The firm has traditionally made complete timepieces, watches and clocks, employing craftsmen who are master watchmakers capable of designing and finishing the most complicated watch movements. So much so, that Patek Philippe is the only watch manufacturer whose entire production of mechanical movements qualifies for the Geneva Seal hallmark. The most sought after and highest official recognition of excellence in watch making, it was instituted by the Republic of Geneva in 1886 in order to provide a guarantee of origin and the craftsmanship of clocks and watches made there. Only manual and self-winding mechanical movements can be awarded the Geneva Seal. The coveted stamp is proudly placed on the base plate and a bridge of Patek Philippe's complicated, self-winding, and manual winding movements.

In 1989, Patek created one of the most complicated mechanical watches ever made, the Calibre 89, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the company. It holds 33 complications, including the date of Easter, a thermometer, time of sunrise, equation of time, sidereal time, and many other indicators. 1,728 unique parts allow sidereal time a 2,800 star chart, and more. The Calibre 89 is also able to add a day to February for leap years while leaving out the extra day for every 100 year interval. Arguably the most famous manufacturer of timepieces worldwide, to own a Patek Philippe watch remains a symbol of wealth and importance: kings and queens were their clients.

Types of Patek Philippe watches The watches available in the Patek Philippe range are: Aquanaut, Calatrava, Complicated, Golden Ellipse, Gondolo, Grand Complications, Nautilus, Twenty-4

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"The Geneva Seal hallmark is the most sought after attribute and highest official recognition of excellence in watchmaking. It was instituted by the Republic of Geneva in 1886 in order to provide a guarantee of origin and the craftsmanship of clocks and watches made in Geneva. The criteria include 12 technical absolute requirements related to the manufacturing of the movement. Only manual and self-winding mechanical movements can be awarded the Geneva Seal and Patek Philippe is the only watch manufacturer whose entire production of mechanical movements qualify for this distinguished Seal. The coveted stamp is proudly placed on the baseplate and a bridge of our complicated, self-winding, and manual winding movements. At Patek Philippe, the award of the Geneva Seal hallmark is always top of mind. The process of designing our watches is based on technical specifications which guarantee that the movements are made up of parts which are designed, crafted, manufactured, hand finished, and hand assembled in our workshops, in accordance with the Geneva hallmark requirements, which leave absolutely no room for imperfection. This is how we make the world's finest watch and assure its performance and reliability." - Patek Philippe