Artists & Artisans
Philippe, Patek
Patek Philippe is a renowned Swiss luxury watch and clock manufacturer, situated in the Canton of Geneva and the Vallée de Joux. Established in the mid-nineteenth century by Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe, it has been owned by the Stern family since 1932, making it the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in Geneva. Patek Philippe is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world with an uninterrupted watchmaking history since its founding, esteemed for its design and craftsmanship of some of the most intricate mechanical watches. Operating over 400 retail locations globally and numerous distribution centers across continents, the company also houses the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
History
Established in 1851 by Polish watchmaker Antoni Patek and French watchmaker Adrien Philippe, Patek Philippe swiftly garnered acclaim for its precise timepieces. Adrien Philippe's groundbreaking keyless winding and hand-setting system earned him a bronze medal at the 1844 Industrial Exposition in Paris, followed by a patent in 1845. The company's reputation soared further when Queen Victoria herself admired their keyless watches at The Great Exhibition in London in 1851.
Their legacy of innovation persisted into the 20th century, as they earned various patents for precision regulators, perpetual calendar mechanisms and the first double chronograph. Patek Philippe introduced the first split-second chronograph wristwatch in 1923 and followed with the first wristwatch featuring a perpetual calendar in 1925.
| Antoni Patek (left) and Adrien Philippe (right). Source. |
The Stern Family
In 1932, brothers Jean and Charles Henri Stern made a strategic investment in Patek Philippe, ensuring its familial ownership to this day. The company achieved unprecedented success, securing numerous top prizes for precision in the Geneva Observatory competition in 1944. Subsequent milestones included the creation of the first all-electronic clock in 1956 and patents for time-zone watches in 1959.
Patek Philippe's commitment to excellence reached new heights in 1962 when their tourbillon movement set the world timekeeping precision record at the Geneva Observatory, a record unbroken to this day. Their dedication to innovation persisted, evidenced by ongoing patent acquisitions and the establishment of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva in 2001.
Legacy
Celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2014, Patek Philippe unveiled a commemorative collection of watches, symbolizing its enduring legacy. Today, Thierry Stern serves as the president of the esteemed company, upholding its tradition of unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation.
Patek Philippe is widely regarded as the world's most prestigious watchmaker. Patek's client list included the likes of Queen Victoria, King Victor Emanuel III of Italy, King Christian IX of Denmark, Pope Pius IX and Albert Einstein.
| World Time Clock By Patek Philippe. Circa 2000. M.S. Rau. |
Quick Facts
- Patek Philippe's timepieces command top prices at auctions, with nine of the world's top ten most expensive watches ever sold being Patek Philippe.
- The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 holds the record for the most expensive watch ever sold at auction.
- The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication is the most expensive pocket watch ever sold at auction.
Artists & Artisans
Philippe, Patek
Patek Philippe is a renowned Swiss luxury watch and clock manufacturer, situated in the Canton of Geneva and the Vallée de Joux. Established in the mid-nineteenth century by Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe, it has been owned by the Stern family since 1932, making it the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in Geneva. Patek Philippe is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world with an uninterrupted watchmaking history since its founding, esteemed for its design and craftsmanship of some of the most intricate mechanical watches. Operating over 400 retail locations globally and numerous distribution centers across continents, the company also houses the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
History
Established in 1851 by Polish watchmaker Antoni Patek and French watchmaker Adrien Philippe, Patek Philippe swiftly garnered acclaim for its precise timepieces. Adrien Philippe's groundbreaking keyless winding and hand-setting system earned him a bronze medal at the 1844 Industrial Exposition in Paris, followed by a patent in 1845. The company's reputation soared further when Queen Victoria herself admired their keyless watches at The Great Exhibition in London in 1851.
Their legacy of innovation persisted into the 20th century, as they earned various patents for precision regulators, perpetual calendar mechanisms and the first double chronograph. Patek Philippe introduced the first split-second chronograph wristwatch in 1923 and followed with the first wristwatch featuring a perpetual calendar in 1925.
| Antoni Patek (left) and Adrien Philippe (right). Source. |
The Stern Family
In 1932, brothers Jean and Charles Henri Stern made a strategic investment in Patek Philippe, ensuring its familial ownership to this day. The company achieved unprecedented success, securing numerous top prizes for precision in the Geneva Observatory competition in 1944. Subsequent milestones included the creation of the first all-electronic clock in 1956 and patents for time-zone watches in 1959.
Patek Philippe's commitment to excellence reached new heights in 1962 when their tourbillon movement set the world timekeeping precision record at the Geneva Observatory, a record unbroken to this day. Their dedication to innovation persisted, evidenced by ongoing patent acquisitions and the establishment of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva in 2001.
Legacy
Celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2014, Patek Philippe unveiled a commemorative collection of watches, symbolizing its enduring legacy. Today, Thierry Stern serves as the president of the esteemed company, upholding its tradition of unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation.
Patek Philippe is widely regarded as the world's most prestigious watchmaker. Patek's client list included the likes of Queen Victoria, King Victor Emanuel III of Italy, King Christian IX of Denmark, Pope Pius IX and Albert Einstein.
| World Time Clock By Patek Philippe. Circa 2000. M.S. Rau. |
Quick Facts
- Patek Philippe's timepieces command top prices at auctions, with nine of the world's top ten most expensive watches ever sold being Patek Philippe.
- The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 holds the record for the most expensive watch ever sold at auction.
- The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication is the most expensive pocket watch ever sold at auction.
