The Watch Blog

Ever wondered about the history of luxury watch makers Patek Philippe?

Patek Philippe has a long history and started when a Polish watchmaker by the name of Antoni Norbert Patek began making watches in 1839 in Geneva, along with a fellow Pole named Franciszek Czapek. The company might have been known as Patek and Czapek (kind of has a nice, symmetric ring to it, doesn’t it?) but the two separated in 1844, when Patek went on to partner with French watchmaker Adrien Philippe. Patek Philippe Co., as we know it today, was founded in 1851. They made their first wrist watch in 1868, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Patek Philippe watches have sold for record prices in auction houses around the world and are undoubtedly a symbol of high social status and wealth. They were the watch of choice for Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert, and Patek Philippes have been worn by royalty, political leaders and rulers ever since.