The World's Famous and Exclusive Watch Brand - Patek Philippe & Co

Patek Philippe & Co. is to watches what Rolls Royce is to cars - synonymous with the best. This prestigious Swiss watchmaking firm is arguably the most famous manufacturer of timepieces worldwide. To own a Patek Philippe watch remains a symbol of wealth and importance: kings and queens were their clients, while other watchmakers frantically copied them1 –imitation being the highest form of flattery, and moreover a means to a more lucrative sale with the help of the famous Patek Philippe signature.

The Patek Philippe legend continues to grow and fascinate. The soaring prices achieved by Patek Philippe watches at auction - particularly within the last decade - prove to what degree these precious timepieces are sought-after by collectors. One collector paid $11,002,500 for a rare Patek Philippe pocket watch, thereby earning it a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Patek Philippe is one of the most prestigious watch companies in the world, having a long history of artistic and technical excellence. It all began in 1839 when Antoine Norbet de Patek and Francios Czapek, both Polish migrants living in Geneva, started Patek, Czapek & Co.

1845 saw Patek and new partner Jean Adrien Philippe, whom Patek had met at the Paris watch show the previous year, start up Patek & Co. The company changed its name in 1851 to Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe made the first ever wrist watch in 1868, this being one of several important contributions that Patek Philippe has made to watch making history. In 1925 they produced the first wrist watch with a perpetual calander, but production problems meant that it was no until 1941 that series production was possible with the model number 1518 (with chronograph). Patek Philippe also produced its first wristwatch with a minute repeater in 1925, and a range of 40 of these models continued to be made up until 1962.

Patek Philippe released its first quartz watch in 1970, and like every quartz watch it has produced since, the time was not displayed as digital or liquid crystal, but always as watch hands. Patek Philippe is not a mass producer of watches, only producing about 50 per day, and of the watches that it does produce some 20 - 30% more are still mechanicals over quartz movements.

Patek Philippe has always focused on the luxury end of the watch market. It is this focus that saw Patek Philippe in trouble in 1929, when many watch makers dissappeared, by which most of the company was sold to Fabrique de Cadrans Stern Feres. The Stern family is still heaviliy involved with Patek Philippe today, but the descendants of the Patek and Philippe family no longer have any involvement. It is also this history of focusing on the high end luxury watch market that makes Patek Philippe watches so collectable now days.