Patek Philippe

Following the death of Antoine de Patek in 1877 and Jean Adrien Philippe in 1894, a unique legacy was left behind in the watchmaking world. By the end of the 19th Century, the Geneva Manufacturer had already enjoyed worldwide eminence and was recognized among one of the most important watchmaking houses in the world.

In 1901, the company was transformed into a stock corporation. In 1932, however, the company fell victim to the effects of the Great Depression and Patek Philippe was forced to seek a new buyer for the majority of the company shares. Luckily, the company had close business relations with the Stern brothers, who owned the renowned dial factory Fabrique de Cad- rans Stern Frères. Under the name Patek Philippe SA, the Stern brothers acquired Patek Philippe and the exclusive watch manufacture was passed on to their family.

Currently, the company name along with the company proprietors remain unchanged. The traditional company continues to be led by the Stern family and is the last family-owned, independent watch manufacturer in Geneva.

Under the leadership of Charles and Jean Stern, the decision was made to develop in-house movements, thereby strengthening the independence of the company. As the years have passed, three generations of the Stern family have successfully led the company. Currently, the business is run by Thierry Stern who plans on continuing the vision of the company founders and running the business as an independent family firm.

When the British Queen Victoria acquired a pocket watch from Patek Philippe at the Great Exhibition of 1851, the reputation of the company with the royal dynasties of the world was strengthened. From the Russian Tsar Nicholas II to Prince Albert of Monaco: Worldwide royal families stamped their seal of approval on the Patek Philippe name.

The prominent list of Patek Philippe clientele is impressive to say the least. Sporters of the Patek Philippe brand include James Ward Packward, Walt Disney, Pablo Picasso (Ref. 2497), John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, along with the famous celebrity couple Brad Pitt (Nautilus) and Angelina Jolie (Ref. 7000).

Another noteworthy fact: Numerous popes have worn a Patek Philippe, a tradition that began in 1866 with pope Pius IX and continued by pope Leo XII in 1878. Over decades, many special editions have been created for the papacy. The strong connection between Patek Philippe and the catholic church is not surprising, however, as founder Antoine Patek was a devout catholic.

Patek Philippe has always stood for the refined and inventive techniques of watchmaking and is notable for pioneering many features that are found in luxurious Suisse timepieces today. In 1842, the modern keyless winding mechanism caused a sensation.

In 1845, the watchmaker and Co-founder Jean Adrien Philippe developed a pocket watch with a minute repeater. 1868 marked the year in which Patek Philippe created its first wristwatch for the Hungarian countess Koscowicz. And in 1889, Patek Philippe obtained a patent for its perpetual calendar mechanism. The perpetual calendar displays the month and date and functions correctly despite leap years. The manufacturer has contributed greatly to the invention and development of the perpetual complication.

A revolution in watchmaking followed in 1925 as Patek Philippe successfully integrated the perpetual calendar complication into a wrist watch. Another noteworthy piece of history occurred in 1902 when Patek Philippe was awarded a patent for its double chronograph, which is a watch that includes two separate mechanisms for the measurement of different periods. Currently, Patek Philippe is considered to be the master of watch complications and with over 80 different patents, the company clearly demonstrates its inventive genius.

Patek Philippe is praised for its impressive in-house production and vertical integration. The uncompromising quality standards of the Geneva-based watchmakers is perpetually implemented in the conceptual design of the luxury watches and in the manufacturing of innovative movements.

Patek Philippe provides the label "manufacture" justice as more than 20 competitive calibers and 45 factory modifications have been developed. Following years of receiving an emblem of excellence from the prestigious Geneva Seal (Poinçon de Genève), the company launched its own Patek Philippe Seal in 2009. The in-house label testifies to the extremely high standards of all Patek Philippe production stages and guarantees quality that far exceeds the Geneva Seal.

The exquisite craftsmanship of the Geneva manufacture is displayed through the unique creations of Patek Philippe. The Sky Moon Tourbillon (Ref. 5002) was presented in the year 2000 and is developed with several watch complications. Not surprisingly, it is one of the most expensive and valued timepieces in the world. It is also the first double-face wristwatch presented by Patek Philippe that can be worn with the dial facing up in order to focus on the time, or alternatively, with the case back of the watch facing up, revealing a gorgeous night sky.

The Grandmaster Chime (Ref. 5175) is another double-face timepiece that was introduced in 2014 to mark the 175th anniversary of Patek Philippe. It is an exquisite masterpiece of Haute Horlogerie and provides a range of elaborate complications including a unique chime. The Grandmaster Chime easily charms worldwide watch aficionados who not only want to glance at the time, but listen for it as well.

Other outstanding complications of the watch include the Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie, a minute repeater, and most coveted of all, a unique alarm that strikes the alarm time and when desired, sounds the date. Initially, the grand Master Chime was limited to seven timepieces and their price was introduced ar 2.5 million Swiss francs.