Patek Philippe is a benchmark in watchmaking, one of the most highly collectible watch brands in the market & a bit of a legend regarding highly complicated watches. Aside from maintaining its significant multi-floor museum in Geneva, the brand has repeatedly held Grand Exhibition events worldwide, packing with them a plethora of historically significant pieces. 

These exhibitions have taken place in Dubai, Munich, London, New York & Singapore between 2012 & 2019 & each time have been open (& free) to the public, with the intent of educating both enthusiasts & the general public about their longstanding legacy.

REASONS TO BUY A PATEK PHILIPPE

• First choice of famous politicians, athletes & actors
• Great investments: the Calatrava dress watch & Nautilus sports watch
• Gold & platinum used as the primary case materials.
• Modern in-house calibers for high precision
• Inventor of many important complications such as the perpetual calendar & split-seconds chronograph.

HISTORY

Now, if we dive deep into the complete history of Patek Philippe as a brand, we would probably need a lot of time. Let's slim it down to the main highlights. We commence with the origins. Technically, the watch brand first saw the light in the year 1839, under the name Patek, Czapek, & Cie., founded by  François Czapek & Antoine Norbert de Patek. Jean Adrien Philippe came into the equation not long after the company changed names to Patek, Philippe & Cie. in 1851. 

The original watch created by Patek Philippe introduced a split-seconds hand, minute repeater, perpetual calendar & chronograph. For a company considered new & up-and-coming, this was an impressive feat at the time. In 1932, the Stern family purchased the company & Patek has evolved & come far from its humble beginnings. 

The very first Calatrava was launched in that same year, followed by many legendary models & uniquely complicated creations.  In fact, in the year 2002 alone, the brand produced more than 40,000 watches. 

Today, Patek Philippe watches are still sold for high prices due to their intricate mechanical features & unique look, evident in their Complications & Grand Complications collections—a master class in horological complexities & artful design.

Some imp key dates a Patek Philippe fan should know:

• 1923 - Patek sells the very first split-seconds wristwatch.
• 1925 - Patek produces its very first perpetual calendar watch.
• 1927 - The Packard Pocket watch is released, which is among the first of many remarkably complex Patek Philippe watches.
• 1933 - The ultra-complex Graves pocket watch is delivered to Henry Graves Jr. after taking 7 years to build.
• 1941 - Standard-production of the watch Patek perpetual calendars starts.
• 1959 - Patek patents its world timer.
• 1976 - The very famous watch Patek Philippe Nautilus hits the watch market for the first time.
• 1989 - Patek ups the ante with its Calibre 89, a pocket watch featuring 33 distinct complications.
• 1997 - The watch Aquanaut sports goes on sale.
• 2001 - Patek uncovers their most complicated double-sided watch, named the Sky Moon Tourbillon.
• 2006 - The Spiromax silicon balance spring is uncovered.
• 2015 - The Calatrava Travel Time makes a more casual pilot timepiece aesthetic to its current collection.
• 2017 - The Advanced Research Aquanaut Travel Time marks the first-ever Patek with a partially open dial.
• 2018 - the ref 5531R denotes the very first creation of a minute repeater world timer that chimes the local time.

PATEK PHILIPPE WATCH COLLECTIONS

NAUTILUS

Launched in 1976, the Nautilus is the epitome of the luxury sports category. This model is known for its ingenious horizontally embossed dial & porthole construction of its case. Browse some of the really iconic models at NY WATCH LAB like the Nautilus 5711.

AQUANAUT

Known for its saltwater & UV resistant "tropical" strap, the Aquanaut was introduced in 1997. Inspired by the Nautilus, this octagon-shaped watch was released as a more casual & colorful alternative.

CALATRAVA

Elegant & classic, the Calatrava is Patek Philippe's famous line of simplistic dress watches. Since its debut in the year 1932, this amazing timeless watch design has survived over 80 years.

GRAND COMPLICATIONS

This particular collection is the birthplace to some of the most astonishing watches in the luxury watch market. Discover horological complications from the brand's signature minute repeaters & perpetual calendars to impressive tourbillons & split-second chronographs.

COMPLICATIONS

Presenting an array of unrivaled timepieces with useful & hand-crafted complications, this collection features Annual Calendars, dual time zones & World Time displays.

GONDOLO

Recognized for its tonneau, rectangular, or cushion-shaped cases, the first Gondolo watch was launched in the early 1920s. Since its debut, this watch collection has grown into contemporary ladies' timepieces.

PATEK PHILIPPE COMPLICATIONS

MINUTE REPEATER

Since the year 1839, Patek Philippe has had a passion for chiming watches. In 2020, the label released the Grande Sonnerie, Ref 6301P, a watch that features the elaborate sound function. Not only does the minute repeater complication mark the time, but it's also a work of art that adds to the character of their watches.

ANNUAL CALENDAR

Patek Philippe's Annual Calendar complication was patented in the year 1996. This mechanism indicated the date for months of 30 & 31 days & needs only one correction per year, February 28 or 29 to March 1.

PERPETUAL CALENDAR

Patek created its first perpetual calendar pocket watch in 1864 & the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925. Since then, this special complication has become a staple in many of Patek’s Grand Complications models.

WHAT MAKES PATEK PHILIPPE WATCHES SO APPEALING?

While the history & precision timekeeping offered by Patek Philippe watches is appealing, today, this is one of the most well-known brands around the globe. Having been donned on celebrities & royals' wrists alike, this wristwatch brand denotes exquisite taste & an appreciation for the finer things in life. 

Looking for a wondrous timeless dress wristwatch from Patek Philippe? Buy their collection of Calatrava wristwatches for a piece that will pair well with any tailor-made suit. Or, if you're interested in a great sport to watch, step into Patek Philippe's sporty side with the Nautilus, available in stainless steel for a sleek look. 

Lastly, you can opt for a more modern twist on the watch Nautilus with their Aquanaut models.

WHY SHOULD YOU PURCHASE PRE-OWNED PATEK PHILIPPE WATCH THROUGH NY WATCH LAB?

When you purchase pre-owned Patek Philippe watches from NY WATCH LAB, you can find newer versions of the timepieces & some of the really classic, vintage options that are no longer in production. NY WATCH LAB is the world’s leading platform for the buying, selling & trading of pre-owned watches. 

We own every pre-owned watch that we sell. This enables us to achieve a true global quality standard. Each of our Patek Philippe watches are evaluated, authenticated & brought to manufacturer operating standards without compromising value or provenance before entering our inventory. Our in-house team of Swiss-trained watchmakers, technicians & refinishers are among the most highly regarded industries.

Do you also desire to wear the very same watch seen on Prince Albert's wrist? Or, be able to compare your watch to the high-class families in Egypt? At NY WATCH LAB, our company provides access to years of Patek Philippe models, specializing in only like-new options, to ensure you receive the exquisite timepiece you expect.