Patek Philippe: a short history, and the watches that made its name
The Cotswold Jeweller · 14 October 2026
Few names carry the weight of Patek Philippe. Here's a short history of the Geneva house, and a few facts that explain why its watches are so sought after.
From Patek & Czapek to Patek Philippe
The story begins in Geneva in 1839, when Antoni Patek, a Polish émigré, founded a watchmaking firm with François Czapek. In 1845 Patek was joined by the French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe, who had invented a keyless winding system: the watch was wound and set through its crown rather than with a separate key. In 1851 the company became Patek Philippe & Co.
Royal clients and a first wristwatch
The same year, Queen Victoria acquired a Patek Philippe pocket watch at the Great Exhibition in London. In 1868 the firm made what it describes as the first Swiss wristwatch, for a Hungarian countess.
The Stern family and the Calatrava
In 1932 the company was bought by Charles and Jean Stern, and the Stern family has run it ever since. That same year saw the first Calatrava, reference 96, a simple round watch that became the template for the classic dress watch. See the Calatrava watches in our shop.
Grand complications
Patek Philippe's reputation rests above all on complicated watches. The Henry Graves Supercomplication, a gold pocket watch completed in 1933 with 24 complications, sold at auction in 2014 for 23.2 million Swiss francs. In 2019 the Grandmaster Chime 6300A, a unique steel version made for the Only Watch charity auction, sold for 31 million Swiss francs, the highest price ever paid for a watch at auction at the time.
The Nautilus
In 1976 Patek Philippe launched the Nautilus, designed by Gérald Genta, a luxury sports watch in steel with a porthole-shaped case and integrated bracelet. Today it's one of the most sought-after watches in the world. See the Nautilus watches in our shop.
Interesting facts
- Patek Philippe introduced the annual calendar, which needs correcting only once a year, in 1996.
- Since 2009 its mechanical watches have carried the Patek Philippe Seal, the company's own standard of quality and finishing.
- Its famous “Generations” advertising suggests you never truly own a Patek Philippe; you look after it for the next generation.
