About the Brand

The watch manufacture we today call Patek Philippe was founded by Polish immigrant Antoine Norbert de Patek in Geneva in 1839. Eventually, Patek teamed up with French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe, a pioneer in keyless pocket watches — which could be set by use of a crown rather than a key. 

Together, Patek, Philippe, and a number of other accomplished watchmakers set about combining timekeeping innovation with luxurious designs and pristine style. The brand made the first Swiss wristwatch in 1868; in 1889 they patented a perpetual calendar mechanism for the pocket watch. Throughout the 20th century Patek Philippe continued these innovations in wristwatches, including patents for the split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, self-winding mechanisms, time-zone watches, tourbillons, and even an all-electronic clock in 1952.

 

Patek Philippe is renowned for their luxury watches, which include the Calatrava (introduced in 1932), the Nautilus (introduced in 1976), and the Aquanaut (1997). Their Grand Complication line combines precious metals, clean design, and haute horology into art. And today, all of Patek’s watches — from ultra-thin dress watches to large steel sports watches to perpetual calendars and beyond — are beloved for their pristine timekeeping and luxurious feel.