Patek Philippe
Get a quote for your PATEK PHILIPPE watch.
Sell Me Watch buys a wide variety of finely made luxury watches, including models made by Patek Philippe. We consider buying all Patek Philippe timepieces, though we do have a special interest in purchasing the following models: Grand Complications, Calatrava, Golden Ellipse, Aquanaut, pocket watches, Complications, Gondolo, Nautilus, and Twenty-4.
To inquire about selling your Patek Philippe watch to Sell Me Watch, simply contact us through our convenient online Get a Quote Form or call us at 888-429-0888. We provide highly competitive prices for pre-owned or new Patek Philippe watches. Then, additionally, we pride ourselves on providing superior customer service. If you have any questions about selling your used or new watch to us, please do not hesitate to reach out. One of our customer service representatives would be happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have.
The History and Legacy of Patek Philippe
About the Founders: Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe
Patek Philippe was founded by Polish watchmaker Antoni Patek and French watchmaker Adrien Philippe. Before the pair teamed up to create what would eventually be one of the most renowned watch brands in the world, both Patek and Philippe had already begun making names for themselves in the world of horology.
Antoni Patek began his watchmaking career when he formed Patek, Czapek & Cie in 1839 with a fellow Polish watchmaker, Franciszek Czapek. At Patek, Czapek & Cie, Patek focused largely on running the company and marketing, while Czapek was the head of watchmaking. Though their company was successful and produced a number of exceptional timepieces, the company would be liquidated six years after it began. In 1845, Patek and Czapek separated due to disagreements surrounding the direction of their business.
Meanwhile, Adrien Philippe, was working as a watchmaker. In 1844, Philippe invented a notable mechanism: the first keyless winding and hand-setting system. In 1845, Philippe patented this innovative mechanism, which was, in essence, the first version of the winding crown we are so familiar with today. Though winding crowns would one day become standard, Philippe’s invention was not met with much initial interest. However, one person had taken note of Philippe’s invention: Antoni Patek. When Patek was looking for a new partner after the liquidation of Patek, Czapek & Cie, he reached out to Philippe.
The Beginning of Patek Philippe: 1845 – 1878
Patek and Philippe began working together in 1845 at their newly formed company Patek & Cie. The company’s name was officially changed to Patek, Philippe & Cie in 1851, when Philippe became a full partner at the company. At Patek, Philippe & Cie, Philippe was the head watchmaker while Patek oversaw the company’s business and marketing.
Patek, Philippe & Cie had its first major success in 1851 at The Great Exhibition in London, when England’s Queen Victoria purchased two keyless watches. Another landmark event in the early history of Patek Philippe came in 1868, when the company made the first-ever Swiss wristwatch for the Countess Koscowicz of Hungary.
Establishing Patek Philippe: 1878 – 1931
From its inception, Patek Philippe would become known as a house of innovation and extraordinary craftsmanship. The company’s work within its first century of its operation would only cement this reputation further.
Some notable Patek Philippe creations from around the turn of the 20th century include several patented innovations, such as their patented precision regular, their patented perpetual calendar mechanism for pocket watches, and their patent for the first double chronograph. Then, Patek Philippe had many notable “firsts” in this period. The company created the first complicated ladies wristwatch with a five-minute repeater, the first split seconds chronograph wristwatch, and the first wristwatch with a perpetual calendar.
New Ownership of Patek Philippe: 1932 – 1949
Patek Philippe changed ownership in 1932 when Jean and Charles Henri Stern of the Henri Stern Watch Agency invested in the company. The Stern family owns and operates Patek Philippe to this day, making Patek Philippe the only remaining Geneva watch company that is family owned.
Under its new ownership, Patek Philippe would continue to do what the company did best: create innovative, superbly crafted timepieces. Some notable creations in the first decades of Patek Philippe’s new ownership include the first Calatrava, the Graves supercomplicated pocket watch, and the Patek Philippe Gyromax balance. In this period, Patek Philippe also began regular production of perpetual calendar wristwatches.
The Consistent Innovation of Patek Philippe: 1950 – Present
From the 1950s to today, Patek Philippe has created some of the world’s most beloved luxury wristwatches. The brand has never shied away from creating bold, innovative watches that buck current trends and set new trends that other watchmakers would follow.
Some of Patek Philippe’s most notable models from their modern period include the Golden Ellipse, the Nautilus, the ultra-thin Reference Number 3940 perpetual calendar, the Calibre 89, the Gondolo collection, the Annual Calendar With Moon Phases, the Aquanaut collection, the Twenty-4, and the World Time Chronograph.
Patek Philippe Today: The Legacy
Today, Patek Philippe remains one of the most respected, highly desired watch brands in the world. The company’s dedication to superior quality and constant innovation has made it a legend in the world of watches.
Notable Patek Philippe Models
Patek Philippe Grand Complications
The first Patek Philippe grand complication watch was created in 1910, and the company has been making grand complications models ever since. Beloved for their impeccably made, extraordinarily complex complications, Patek Philippe’s grand complication watches and moon phase grand complication watches are some of the most highly desired.
Patek Philippe models among collectors.
Patek Philippe Calatrava
The Calatrava line is known for its pure lines and simplistic design. This dress watch line first launched in 1932 and it has been a flagship Patek Philippe model since its creation.
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse
First produced in 1968, the Golden Ellipse line is famous for its signature elliptical case. This case was quite bold and unique for the time period, and the distinctive nature of the Golden Ellipse’s design led to it becoming one of Patek Philippe’s most iconic watches.
Patek Philippe Aquanaut
The Aquanaut is a true sports watch with a rugged case and superior water resistance. First released in 1997, the Aquanaut is modern evolution of Patek Philippe’s other famous stainless steel sports watch, the Nautilus.
Patek Philippe Gondolo
The Gondolo collection is a newer Patek Philippe line that was inspired by vintage models from the early 1900’s. While most Patek Philippe watches feature round cases, the Gondolo collection features more unusual cases, including numerous square, rectangular, and tonneau cases.
Patek Philippe Nautilus
The Nautilus collection was Patek Philippe’s first foray into luxury sports watches. Designed by Gerald Genta, who also designed Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, the stainless steel Nautilus helped revive Patek Philippe’s reputation during the quartz crisis. Today, it remains one of Patek Philippe’s most popular models.
Patek Philippe Twenty-4
Created in 1999, the Twenty-4 is one of Patek Philippe’s most successful modern designs. This women’s line was designed to epitomize feminine elegance, while simultaneously accommodating the lifestyle of the modern and active woman.
Interested in selling luxury mechanical watches from a watch manufacturer other than Patek Philippe, such as Rolex or Cartier? Or are you interested in selling secondhand diamond jewelry crafted from white gold, rose gold, or yellow gold? Learn more about what we buy by clicking here.