Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe: Luxury watches in a class of their own

Whether Calatrava or Nautilus, Patek Philippe has been one of the leading manufacturers of luxury watches based in Switzerland for many decades. The company is one of the last independent Geneva manufacturers and manufactures almost all components for the approximately 68,000 fine timepieces produced annually itself. It is not for nothing that the manufacture, which has been owned by the Sterns family (Thierry Stern and Philippe Stern) since 1932, has its own research and development department, which is constantly producing new innovations. Whether it’s a simple watch or a model with numerous complications – from production and finishing to the assembly of movements and cases, all steps are carried out in-house. Another service that makes the company special: Patek Philippe maintains and repairs all watches made in the Maison since 1839. In the production of its watches, Patek relies primarily on precious metals such as gold and platinum. Although the Geneva-based manufacturer’s range also includes stainless steel watches, these are much rarer than other luxury watch brands. Another special feature: Since 2001, the Patek Philippe Museum has also been open to the world, inviting visitors on an interesting journey through five centuries of watchmaking. The exhibits are considered the most important and precious watch collection in the world. Are you interested in a pre-owned wristwatch from Patek Philippe? Visit our branch in Oldenburg and get advice from our experienced specialists or take a look at our online shop to buy your new dream watch safely and easily. SG Watches – your reliable partner whenever it comes to pre-owned luxury watches!

Watchmaking since 1839

The history of Patek Philippe dates back to the 19th century. More precisely, to 1839, when the Polish watchmaker Antoine Patek began producing pocket watches in Geneva, which were common at the time. In 1845, Patek meets Jean Adrien Philippe and joins forces with him. A real inventor who revolutionized the watch market just one year earlier by inventing the winding crown and thus eliminating the time-consuming winding of the watches with the help of a key. In 1951, the two finally visited the 1st World Exhibition in London and won prominent customers such as Queen Victoria, who bought two watches from Patek at once. Other royal customers from the royal families in Italy and Denmark followed, as did an order from the New York jeweller Tiffany & Co. for 130 watches.

Step by step to worldwide success

The success of the manufactory continues. In 1902, the brand received the patent for the first developed double chronograph and launched the first wristwatch with a perpetual calendar in 1925. In 1933, the next milestone in the company’s history followed: the Maison presented the Henry Graves Supercomplication, a model designed by banker Henry Graves Jr. Commissioned one-of-a-kind piece in 18-carat gold. He had commissioned the watch to trump the elaborate pocket watches of the car manufacturer James Ward Packard, who had been in collector’s competition with him for years. The Supercomplication ends this ongoing competition, because it is made up of 920 individual parts and inspires with 24 different functions, including a Westminster chime and the times of sunrise and sunset. The watch is probably the most complicated model ever built without the help of a computer. To mark its 150th anniversary in 1898, the Swiss Maison also presented the Calibre 89, which surpassed the Supercomplication with its 33 complications and 1,728 individual parts.

Patek Philippe breaks records

Not only from a technical point of view, the Swiss watchmaker has always pushed the boundaries of what is possible, but also in terms of price, the family business repeatedly breaks records. For example, a watch with the Ref. 1518 auctioned in 2016 sells for the equivalent of €9.8 million – the highest price ever paid for a watch of this type. The next price record follows in 2019: As part of a charitable auction, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime with the Ref. 6300A-010 in stainless steel changes hands for the equivalent of €28.22 million.

In-house caliber and seal of approval – that's what makes Patek Philippe so special

When you think of Patek Philippe watches, the first thing that comes to mind for many people is mechanical movements from their own company. This is a real special feature, as many other manufacturers use calibers from suppliers and outsource the production of the movements. Not so with Patek Philippe! Rather, the Maison still uses the balance wheel patented in 1949, known as the Gyromax, in its movements today. This has no screws for regulation, but rather tiny adjustment rings and thus has a greater moment of inertia and consequently more precision. Another special feature of the movements: Since the beginning of the 21st century, the manufacturer has been relying on the material Silinvar, which is non-magnetic and extremely hard, for parts of the escapement. This means that there is no friction, which makes lubrication superfluous. Philippe also manufactures balance springs from the high-tech material. In 2009, the traditional maison also introduced its own seal of approval, which is intended to place the highest demands on mechanical watches.

An overview of Patek Philippe's collections

Whether Ellipse d’Or, Aquanaut, Twenty-4 or Art Deco version, with a weekly calendar or moon phases – over the course of time, the traditional company has launched numerous collections that are now among the most important in the world and represent an investment with potential for value appreciation. No wonder that the price of a Patek Philippe watch can be quite high. Below you will find information on some of the Maison’s main models, which you may also find in our range at SG Watches.

Patek Philippe Calatrava – a true classic

The Calatrava has been part of the Patek Philippe range for more than 80 years. The name “Calatrave” was derived from an order of knights founded in the city of the same name. With their simple elegance and flat construction, the watches in the series are considered perfect dress watches and are available in a wide variety of designs. For example, you can opt for a Patek Philippe Calatrava with the Ref. 5227, a simple three-hand watch with a case diameter of 39 mm, available in white gold, rose gold or yellow gold, with a case that is only 9.24 mm thick. Patek Philippe also has suitable versions for women in this series, often made of white gold or rose gold and decorated with diamonds. At the Watches and Woders watch fair, the luxury manufacturer also presented other exciting models from the world of Patek Philippe Calatrava, including the 24 Hour Travel Time and the Pilot Travel Time with chronograph function.

Patek Philippe Nautilus – the sporty one

If you like it sportier, you should take a closer look at the Patek Philippe Nautilus. The Nautilus is also available in numerous versions and can come with a diamond-set bezel or an olive green dial with sunburst finish and horizontal relief embossing, for example. The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A in Tiffany Blue, which was created in collaboration with the American jeweller Tiffany & Co. on the occasion of the 170-year partnership between the two companies, also gained particular fame. It is considered the most expensive Nautilus and is limited to 170 units. In 2022, the watch manufacturer launched a successor to the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711: the 5811/1G-001. With a case size of 41 mm, it is exactly 1 mm larger than its predecessor and features a caliber 26-330 S C. At Watches and Wonders 2024, Patek Philippe also presented a version with a flyback chronograph that not only impressed with technology, but also stood out due to its special bracelet. While the underside of the strap is made of leather, the top is made of blue-gray textile in a jeans look. And the series also includes suitable products for the female wrist, for example in the form of 35.2 mm versions, which are often set with precious gemstones or diamonds.

Patek Philippe Aquanaut – modern and sporty

The Aquanaut is in the tradition of the aforementioned watch and has been part of the range since 1997. However, with its rounded edges, the design of the watch looks more modern and less angular. Another special feature of the Aquanaut is the water- and abrasion-resistant as well as UV-resistant Tropical bracelet, which further underlines the sporty touch of the watch. On request, this series also offers versions with a second time zone, as well as women’s watches with case diameters of 35.6 and 38.8 mm. In 2023, a version with an annual calendar and a moon phase was also launched. If you like it even more luxurious, you should take a look at the 5268/461G, which will be introduced in 2024. The case of the watch is made of white gold and features stunning gems. The bezel is set with 40 baguette sapphires; the dial also features over 200 brilliant or baguette-cut blue and white diamonds.

Grandes Complications and Complicated Watches

The Grandes Complications and Complicated Watches series are all about haute horlogerie. The series inspire with elaborately crafted watches with numerous complications, which are mainly made of precious metals such as gold or platinum and are often decorated with diamonds or fine engravings. For example, you can opt for a watch with an annual calendar and moon phase or watches with a world time function. Watches such as the Sky Moon Tourbillon or the Grandmaster Chime are even more complex. The former impresses with 12 complications, the latter even comes with 20 complications. In 2023, the luxury watch manufacturer expanded the Patek Philippe Complications series with new variants, such as the Grandmaster Chime in a two-tone design.

Other interesting watches from Patek

If you like it extraordinary, Patek Philippe is also the right place for you. Because the manufacturer is always launching real art pieces in interesting shapes that are anything but standard. For example, the Ellipse d’Or should be mentioned here. This was first presented to the world public in 1968 and impresses with a case designed according to all the rules of the golden ratio – a special example of its kind. Since 2024, the Golden Ellipse has also been available, which has a metal bracelet for the first time and is reminiscent of the design standards of the 70s. The Patek Philippe Twenty collection is just as special. With these versions, the Maison is specifically aimed at female customers and offers a rectangular watch as well as a round case. The gondolo is again very much in the spirit of Art Deco, which also does not rely on round shapes, but can be cushion-shaped, rectangular or gently curved. In particular, the vintage models from the 70s are very popular among collectors, as are the Art Deco versions, which can also be found with diamonds or pearls.

Patek Philippe – a symbol of true craftsmanship

Watches from the traditional Swiss manufacturer are among the most prestigious of all and can be found almost exclusively in the high-price segment. And not without reason, after all, the watches are elaborately handcrafted and go through a wide variety of stations until they can finally be found on the wearer’s wrist. From the case to the movement, the watches are finished by hand by masters of their craft. Skills that are passed down from generation to generation and distinguish every watch from the house. For example, the dials are enameled by hand and the gold case is polished manually. The numerals are also applied to the dial by hand. Real craftsmanship that makes every watch special.

Buy Patek Philippe watches and get expert advice

Are you interested in a watch with a calendar function? Or has a Patek Philippe made of yellow gold been on your wish list for years? Then make your dream of a pre-owned luxury watch come true and trust in the experienced specialist when buying: SG Watches. Because we are happy to assist you from the first consultation to the conclusion of the sale and beyond. Simply make a personal appointment at our branch in Oldenburg to find your new watch from the Swiss manufacturer together with our experts. Alternatively, you are of course welcome to take a look around our online shop and benefit from services such as insured shipping. We will be happy to help you with any questions you may have and are also available online as a competent partner for buying watches. Would you like to have your watch repaired or regularly serviced so that it does not lose value and is a loyal companion for generations? Then we are also your reliable partner. Because our watchmakers know the subtleties of luxury watches and maintain them with years of experience and know-how.