History of Patek Philippe

HISTORY

Adrien Philippe founded Patek Philippe along with fellow founder Antoine Norbert de Patek (Antoni Patek) in 1839. All its founders were Polish immigrants at that time. These watches are manufactured in Geneva and are a part of Geneva’s great watchmaking tradition. 

The brand story of Patek Philippe is a combination of experience, ingenuity & passion, along with a unique heritage that the company always safeguards and revitalizes in all its disciplines & skills. All its watchmakers and craftsmen are faithful to the noble artisanal techniques, and day after day, they perpetuate the beautiful, timeless gestures and the sharpness of eye & deftness of touch that has always distinguished the fine art of watchmaking from others. These skills have lived in perfect harmony with the most advanced technology.

Connoisseurs and Watch Aficionados regard Patek Philippe as the world’s most exclusive, most renowned watch manufacturer, and its watches are considered one of the best and most sophisticated watches in the world. Patek Philippe is one of the most prominent luxury brands in the world. 

The brand is renowned for its supreme mechanical prowess, too. They’ve had a hand in creating some of the most intricate manual watches ever made. The brand also helped pioneer countless grand complications, including the perpetual calendar, chronograph, split-seconds hand, and minute repeater. 

Buying a Patek Philippe watch means owning a timepiece that’s one of the finest in the world. We at Wrist Aficionado have many magnificent models available in our collection of exceptional Patek Philippe Watches for sale.

PATEK PHILIPPE HISTORY AND TIMELINE

Here is a brief overview of Patek Philippe’s history and the key dates every Patek Philippe fan should know:

• 1923 - Patek Philippe sells the first split-seconds wristwatch.
• 1925 - Patek Philippe creates its first perpetual calendar wristwatch.
• 1927 - The Packard Pocketwatch, which is the first of several remarkably complex Patek timepieces, is delivered.
• 1933 - The Graves pocket watch is delivered to Henry Graves Jr. after it took 7 years to build.
• 1941 - Standard production of Patek Philippe perpetual calendars begins.
• 1959 - Patek Philippe patents its world timer.
• 1976 - The very famous Patek Philippe Nautilus hits the market for the first time.
• 1989 - Patek Philippe ups the ante with its Caliber 89, a pocket watch that featured 33 distinct complications.
• 1997 - The famed Aquanaut sports watch goes on sale.
• 2001 - Patek Philippe unveils their most complex double-sided wristwatch yet, the Sky Moon Tourbillon.
• 2006 - The Spiromax silicon balance spring gets unveiled.
• 2015 - The Calatrava Travel Time gives a casual pilot watch aesthetic to Patek’s current collection.
• 2017 - The Advanced Research Aquanaut Travel Time brings the first-ever Patek Philippe with a partially open dial.
• 2018 - The ref. 5531R marked the first creation of a minute repeater world timer that chimes with the local time.

PATENTS: INNOVATIONS FOR THE WATCH INDUSTRY

As outlined above, the company’s history is marked by remarkable successes and impressive feats of watchmaking. Patek Philippe’s ceaseless pursuit of new developments, especially in the field of mechanical watches, has resulted in more than 100 patents, all of which are of major significance to the watch industry. 

Patek Philippe’s also had a hand in producing highly complex pocket watches and wristwatches than any competing manufacturer, and its catalog of inventions includes the watch incarnation of the perpetual calendar, the ubiquitous winding crown, and the split-seconds chronograph. The company can proudly look back on a long & unique tradition of horological innovation.

WHAT MAKES PATEK PHILIPPE WATCHES DIFFERENT THAN OTHERS?

While the history and precision timekeeping offered by the brand is itself different from others, the fact that these watches have donned on the wrists of celebrities and royals alike makes it one of the most well-known brands around the globe. Moreover, Patek Philippe watches denote exquisite taste and an appreciation for the finer things in life.

WHY BUY PATEK PHILIPPE WATCHES AT WRIST AFICIONADO?

When you purchase a Patek Philippe watch, you’ll find newer versions of the timepieces, as well as some of the classic timepieces that the brand is famous for. At Wrist Aficionado, we provide access to only the best Patek Philippe models, specializing in many new options, to ensure you receive the exquisite timepiece you expect.

THE COLLECTIONS

Plunge into the world of the Nautilus and Aquanaut: Sportive luxury watches

Patek Philippe’s extensive catalog underscores its leading position in the market for luxury and premium watches. Patek Philippe also excels in travel watches. 

The brand has since released the first combined World Time watch & chronograph. Hugely popular among frequent flyers, the Travel Time wristwatch displays two time zones simultaneously. The ingenious mechanism of this wristwatch featured two corrective buttons, which allow you to set the hour hand for each time zone forward and backward in increments of an hour.

AQUANAUT: WHAT PATEK PHILIPPE IS KNOWN FOR

Hitting the market in 1997, the Aquanaut was Patek Philippe’s answer to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore that launched four years before. Aquanaut series of watches were designed to be more casual and sportier than the classic Nautilus as the intent was to capture a younger audience and extend the legacy of the brand. 

Its recent collectability boom is pure fallout from the hype surrounding its sibling. Still, this trend has pushed demand (and secondary-market values) for the Aquanaut higher than they’ve ever been. As of 2019, there are four critical references of Aquanaut watches for men, as well as a handful of undersized and gem-set pieces for women.

NAUTILUS: CASUAL ELEGANCE WITH CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY

Since it was launched in 1976, the Nautilus collection has embodied the casual elegance of the Patek Philippe brand. Its unique design consists of three elements: the characteristic dial with embossed decorative details, the case, which is inspired by a nautical bull’s eye, and the bezel, which is always octagonal, many of which are unique. Internationally famed designer Gérald Genta is the creative force behind Patek Philippe watches. For a dynamic touch, specific models are water-resistant to 120 meters.

CALATRAVA: THE LEGENDARY CLASSIC

The Calatrava collection has been emblematic of the classic design and inevitably elegant style of Patek Philippe since 1936. Its simple aesthetics and clear layout have brought the Calatrava plaudits from around the globe. The Calatrava is a true pioneer and archetype of round wristwatch shapes.

For Patek Philippe Watches and more, browse our best in the class catalog right here at Wrist Aficionado and get the watch that suits your unique style and taste.

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