18ct white gold, diamond and sapphire set Patek Philippe, reference 4344/1 bracelet watch. Made 1980

The founding of Patek Philippe in 1839 can be traced back to the Polish insurrection of 1830. Taking part in the revolt against Russian rule was a young cavalry officer, Antoine Norbert de Patek who, like many of his compatriots was forced to flee Poland and eventually settle in Geneva.

Straight away becoming involved in the city’s watchmaking industry, Patek Czapek & Co was founded with a fellow Pole, François Czapek in 1839. Then in 1844 Patek met the French watchmaker, Adrien Philippe in Paris where the latter presented his pioneering keyless winding and setting mechanism. Czapek decided to leave the company in 1845 and Adrien Philippe replaced Czapek as Patek’s partner. The company then changed its name to Patek & Cie.before changing once more in 1851 to Patek Philippe & Cie.

In 1932, the company was purchased by two brothers Charles and Jean Stern and since then, Patek Philippe S.A. remains a family-owned firm, with the 4th generation at its head.

Today, vintage Patek Philippe is a titan in the vintage luxury watch community. Their obsessive attention to detail combined with ground-breaking feats such as the first serially produced, perpetual calendar wristwatches as well as the first split-second chronograph wristwatch, have made Patek Philippe wristwatches and pocket watches some of the most sought after in the world.