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A short history of Patek Philippe
In 1839, Antoine Norbert de Patek, and Francois Czapek, established Patek, Czapek & Cie. which was the forerunner of Patek Philippe. They established the watch manufacturer in Geneva, Switzerland, where it’s located even today.
Patek, Czapek & Cie became Patek Philippe & Co. in 1851. Patek Philippe is named after Antoine Norbert de Patek and Jean Adrien Philippe.
Patek Philippe is still independent and family owned
The Geneva based watch manufacturer is one of very few independent and family owned Swiss luxury watch manufacturers left in the industry, and this independence gives Patek Philippe the freedom to set their own standards and fully use their creative potential. Technically speaking, they are still family owned although not by the founding family.
The Geneva based luxury watchmaker’s achievements
Between 1900 and 1939, Patek Philippe won more than 700 timekeeping prizes! Between 1900 and 1951, Patek Philippe won more than 300 first prizes! Patek Philippe won its awards at the Astronomical Observatory of Geneva in Switzerland.
Patek Philippe’s history is a testament to the technical virtuosity and excellence of the Geneva based Swiss watch manufacturer. This brand has filed over 80 patents. The brand is a master of complications (astronomical, striking and timing complications) and Grande Complications – a combination of several complications.
Patek Philippe’s unique approach to watchmaking
Only a handul of Swiss and non-Swiss luxury watch brands have the technical wizardy and skills to make movement complications, and Patek Philippe is one of them. To be entirely fair though, the majority of Patek Philippes watches contain only the most basic time functions.
Patek Philippe’s watches are very rare and handmade – made especially for connoisseurs. Their watches aren’t meant for mass production and mass consumption. Unlike Rolex, which mass-produces timepieces (roughly 1 million timepieces per year), Patek Philippe manufactures roughly 60.000 timepieces per year.
Each and every Patek Philippe timepiece is a unique and precious creation.
Their movements are profusely decorated. The decorations rarely have any practical appliance – the decorations are made to turn their movements into a piece of art.
Patek Philippe doesn’t follow the whims and fashions of the luxury watch market. The aesthetics of the brand’s design is usually timeless – their watches have an aristocratic and elegant feel to them.
Patek Philippe is a member of the “Holy Trinity”
Patek Philippe is also a member of the “Holy Trinity” – the three most prestigious and luxurious watch brands available on the market today. The other two members are Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin. Patek Philippe however, is usually ranked as nr 1 in the “Holy Trinity”.