The ultimate guide to Patek Philippe watches
When it comes to luxury watches, Patek Philippe luxury has definitely set a benchmark. For a brand that has been around for nearly two centuries, one might wonder how the watchmaking giant not only stays in the game, but is always at the forefront.
Let’s take a look at the stories behind Patek Philippe watches, their best collections, their heritage and all the other information you need to know about luxury watch brands.
About Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe is one of the oldest watchmakers in the industry, with a long history and reputation. Since its establishment in 1839, Patek Philippe has consistently produced high-quality luxury timepieces made in Switzerland. It is the last independent family watch manufacturer in Geneva.
The firm’s solid foundation and success revolve around the 10 values that make up the corporate mindset. These values include independence, tradition, innovation, quality and workmanship, rarity, value, aesthetics, service, emotion and tradition.
The history of Patek Philippe watches
In 1839, Polish watchmaker Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek co-founded Patek, Czapek & Cie, which later became Patek Philippe. However, there was no strong partnership between the two. They eventually parted ways and found different business partners to replace each other.
Jean Adrien Philippe (Jean Adrien Philippe) came in there. Philippe was the inventor of the keyless winding and manual setting system, and even won a bronze medal for his invention at the Paris Industrial Fair in 1844. A year later, he was able to successfully obtain his patent. Keyless winding and manual setting system.
Moving forward in 1851, the partners decided to change the company name to Patek, Philippe & Cie – Fabricantsà Genève. In the same year, the company gained the attention of Queen Victoria herself. In the big exhibition in London, the queen admired and bought one of the keyless pendant watches from Patek Philippe, Philippe & Cie.
The brand has attracted widespread attention, especially in the eyes of famous people, and soon became a force that cannot be ignored in the watchmaking industry. In 1868, Patek Philippe once again made history, creating the world’s first Swiss watch, especially for the Countess Koscowicz of Hungary.
From the 1880s to the 1900s, Patek Philippe applied for a number of patents, such as the precision regulator in 1881, the perpetual calendar mechanism for pocket watches in 1889, and the first dual chronograph in 1902. Other pioneers have also entered the company’s history. For example, the first complex ladies’ watch in 1916, the first two-second chronograph with a second hand in 1923, and the first wristwatch with a perpetual calendar in 1925.
Change of ownership
In 1932, the company will undergo major changes. The Great Depression brought trouble to the company. But fortunately, the brothers Jean and Charles Henri Stern decided to invest and substantially saved the company. Since then, Philippe Patek has been owned by the Stern family.
The company continued to be successful and even won a record first prize at the Geneva Observatory in 1944. In 1956, Patek Philippe (Patek Philippe) launched the world’s first all-electronic clock, creating the world’s first. Patek Philippe (Patek Philippe) has achieved remarkable results, once again refreshed the watchmaking industry, in the 1962 Geneva Observatory set a world record of timekeeping accuracy of mechanical cheapest watches. Even more surprising is that this record has been kept in Patek Philippe for nearly 60 years, and has not been defeated by any other watch.
To celebrate the company’s 150th anniversary, Patek Philippe launched the 89 movement, which has 33 complex functions, the most in portable timepieces. A few years later, in 1996, the company decided to move its production facilities to Plan-les-Ouates in Geneva. With its new home, Patek Philippe launched the “Tianyue Tourbillon” in 2001. “Tianyue Tourbillon” is their most complex double-sided watch.
Patek Philippe’s Righ Heritage
Patek Philippe (Patek Philippe) has a history of 180 years, it has created many firsts, obtained multiple patents, and attracted the attention of many famous people. Let’s take a quick look at these patents and famous people who love Patek Philippe timepieces.
As mentioned earlier, Patek Philippe applied for patents for the following products: precision regulators, perpetual calendar devices and the first dual chronograph. But the following are all other patents not mentioned in the company’s history:
1949 Patek Philippe Gyromax balance
1953 self-winding mechanical movement 12-600at
1959 time zone watch
1977 ultra-thin self-winding movement 240
Secular perpetual calendar with retrograde date indication in 1986
1996 annual calendar mechanism
In addition to patents, Patek Philippe is proud to have not only attracted the attention of celebrities in history, but also tailored a special timepiece for them. The first is the Countess Koscowicz, the Countess of Hungary, who played an important role in the creation of the first Swiss watch. Then came Packard, named and created after James Ward Packard.
Patek Philippe will also be commissioned by Henry Graves Jr., a banner and watch collector, who is later known for having the most complex watches. The watch in question Patek Philippe Henry Graves Super Complex has 24 functions and will keep the record of the most expensive timepiece in the auction. Other famous figures in history who love Patek Philippe watches include Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy and Nelson Mandela.
The best collection of Patek Philippe
Over the years, Patek Philippe has created some great collections. Here, we will take a look at their latest five best collections.
- Patek Philippe Grand Complications
This super-complexity collection compliments the impeccable craftsmanship behind Patek Philippe. In this century alone, Patek Philippe was able to produce the world’s most complex portable timepiece…twice. The ability to perfectly execute such a complex watchmaking process attests to Patek Philippe’s craftsmanship. - Patek Philippe complications
Similar to large complex functions, the Patek Philippe complex function series pays tribute to the highest wit in the watchmaking industry. This series inherits Patek Philippe’s long and complicated tradition. This series showcases the brand’s expertise in the art of watchmaking. - Patek Philippe Calatrava
The Calatrava embodies the legendary purity. This series provides clean and concise watches, combined with pure lines, to create elegant dress watches. This is a series that illustrates timeless perfection. - Patek Philippe Nautilus
The Patek Philippe Nautilus series embodies elegance. This series has a round octagonal bezel, horizontal relief dial and ingenious porthole structure. This is your classic sports wholesale watches. It blends an active lifestyle and an elegant atmosphere. - Patek Philippe Aquanaut
Similar to Nautilus, Aquanaut has a round octagonal bezel. The difference is that Aquanaut’s appearance is more modern and stylish. It has a tropical zone and is extremely resistant to abrasion, salt water and ultraviolet radiation.
