====== Patek Philippe ======

{{wst>menue|Patek_Philippe}}
{{wst>image_r|Patek, Antoine|Antoine Norbert Graf de Patek\\ © [[Patek Philippe]]}}
{{wst>image_r|Philippe,_Jean-Adrien|Jean-Adrien Philippe\\ © [[Patek Philippe]]}}

**Patek Philippe** is a [[Swiss]] watch [[manufacture]], one of the few remaining [[independent brand]]s.

===== Foundation =====
On 1 May [[1839]] the watch [[manufacture]] **Patek, Czapek & Co.** is founded in [[Geneva]] by two Polish immigrants, the businessman and aristocrat [[Patek, Antoine Norbert de|Antoine Norbert count de Patek]] and the watchmaker [[Czapek, Francois|Francois Czapek]]. Because of differences between the two the co-operation does not continue. The latter continues the company [[Czapek|Czapek & Co]] till [[1869]].

===== The collaboration between Patek and Philippe =====
Patek chooses the talented French watchmaker [[Philippe, Jean-Adrien|Jean-Adrien Philippe]] as his new partner. He had met him at the Paris World's Fair [[1844]], where both had been on very good terms with each other. Philippe had already enriched the watch history with one of its most revolutionary inventions the [[crown winding]]. Since then watches need no longer to be wound with an additional key, but both the winding and also the time adjustment of the hands can now be performed much easier by the crown.

On 15 May [[1845]], after the entry of [[Philippe, Jean-Adrien|Jean-Adrien Philippe]] and Vincent Gostkowski, the company is renamed to **Patek & Co.**. In the same year a patent for a watch with an winding stem and hand adjustment mechanism is applied. **Patek & Co.** produces the first watch with [[minute repeater]].

On 1 January [[1851]] the name is changed from **Patek & Co.** to **Patek Philippe & Co.**. In [[1881]] a patent for a [[precision adjustment]] is applied by Philippe.

===== Stock corporation - and important inventions =====
On 1 Februar [[1901]] Patek Philippe is converted into a stock corporation and renamed to **Ancienne Manufacture d'Horlogerie Patek Philippe & Cie. S.A.** [[1902]] a patent for a [[double chronograph]] is applied.

The company continues through significant inventions, which are highly regarded. In [[1925]], the world's first [[wristwatch]] with [[perpetual calendar]] is launched. In [[1927]], the first wrist [[chronograph]]s are produced.

As [[1931]], during the world economic crisis, a financially strong investor is searched for, the brothers Charles and Jean Stern, whose dial factory had already belonged to the suppliers of the company for some time, declare themselves ready to take over the majority shareholding of the company. Since then the name of the Stern family and of Patek Philippe are mentioned in the same breath. (Today, Philippe Stern serves as president in its third generation of the company. Thierry Stern, his son, as vice president now represents already the fourth generation.)

{{wst>image_l|Patek_Philippe_World_Time_Ref._1415-1|Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 1415-1 from [[1940]], unique piece, [[Patek Philippe Museum]]}}

In [[1932]] the company presents the model [[Patek Philippe Calatrava|Calatrava]], named after an order of knights, founded in [[1158]] by the abbot Raimondo in the city of Calatrava. This model series has been one of the classics of the [[manufacture]]. The [[Calatrava Cross]] is still regarded as a hallmark of the watches, each of which is depicted on the crown.

[[1937]] the [[Geneva]] watchmaker Louis Cottier develops the first wristwatches "heure universelle" for Patek Philippe. From the dial of these [[world timer]]s time can be read in all 24 time-zones of the earth at the same time.

In the early [[1940]]s begins the serial production of [[chronograph]]s and [[wristwatch]]es with [[perpetual calendar]]. In subsequent years movements by Patek Philippe carry off the victory at numerous precision competitions of the [[Geneva]] observatory.

In [[1953]], the company introduced its first [[automatic]] watch, [[Patek Philippe 2526|Ref. 2526]], using the new [[PP 12-600|Calibre 12-600 AT]]. This patented bi-directional winding system continued in use until [[1985]].

[[1962]] the world's first [[wristwatch]] with [[perpetual calendar]] and [[automatic winding]] is introduced.

[[1966]] Jean Daniel Rubeli, the head of the development department, designs the model Ellipse. In the round shape of the housing he takes into account the rules of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_section|Golden Ratio]]. The mysterious shimmering blue of the dial is caused by chemical treatment of the [[gold]].

[[1976]] the model [[Patek Philippe Nautilus|Nautilus]], designed by [[Genta, Gérald|Gérald Genta]], comes to market. Special feature of this watch is a [[bezel]] designed in porthole-shape. Pressed on the monoshell case with the two lateral screws, a [[water resistance]] to 120 meters is guaranteed. Since [[1977]] Patek is producer of the thinnest [[self-winding]] movement [[PP 240|Calibre 240]] with only 2.40 mm height.

Patek Philippe is today, at a time of increasing concentration in the watch sector, one of the few still independent watch companies. The company is also the only Geneva [[manufacture]], whose entire production of mechanical watch movements is awarded with the [[Geneva Seal]] (Poinçon de Genève).

===== Peak performances in complications =====

{{wst>image_cr|Patek Philippe|28-20_222_Expl|Patek Philippe Formwerk Calibre 28-20/222 Ref. 5100 "10 Jours"|270px}}

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary celebration in [[1989]] the legendary [[Patek Philippe Calibre 89|Calibre 89]] is presented, which was developed nine whole years. With 33 [[complication]]s and 1728 components this watch is regarded as a [[pocket watch]] of superlatives. On two sides of the case it has 24 hands and 12 dials. In addition to a [[minute repeater]] with large and small [[carillion]] and an [[alarm function]], a [[tourbillon]] , a [[perpetual calendar]], a [[rattrapante]] [[chronograph]] movement and over 20 other [[complication]]s it is the most complicated [[pocket watch]] movement at all.

[[2000]] with the [[Patek Philippe Star Calibre 2000|Star Calibre 2000]] one of three of the most complicated [[pocket watch]]es in the world is launched, whose 21 [[complication]]s are united in a particularly user-friendly manner.

The first double-sided [[wristwatch]] and also the most complicated [[wristwatch]] ever produced by Patek Philippe is the [[Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 5002|Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 5002]] presented in [[2002]]. It includes a [[tourbillon]], a [[perpetual calendar]] with the [[moon age]] display (number of days since the last full moon), [[leap year indicator|leap year cycle]], day of week, month and date indication. The [[date display]] is available as additional complication provided with a reset hand. The back presents under a [[sapphire crystal]] the starry sky of the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise shows the angular motion of the stars and the moon in a cycle of 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes.

[[2003]] as a world first the Reference 5100 "10 jours" is presented as the first mechanical movement with a [[power reserve]] of more than 10 days. It is a rectangular shaped [[form movement]] comprising two series-connected [[barrel]]s and a [[tourbillon]]. It is used in four models variants (in [[white gold]], [[yellow gold]], [[platinum]] and [[rose gold]]), which are limited to 3000 pieces. (See [[Patek Philippe Gondolo 10 Day Tourbillon 5101|Patek Philippe Ref. 5101P "10 Day Tourbillon"]].)

In November [[2014]], for the company's 175th anniversary, Patek Philippe released a new set of complicated watches. The CHF 2.5 million [[Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime|Grandmaster Chime]] is most notable, being the most-complicated wristwatch ever from the brand. Also released was the [[Patek Philippe World Time Moon|World Time Moon]], [[Patek Philippe Multi-Scale Chronograph|Multi-Scale Chronograph]], and [[Patek Philippe Chiming Jump Hour|Chiming Jump Hour]], which rings each hour with a single chime, along with a set of handcrafted decorated watches with [[enamel]], [[marquetry]], and [[engraved]] depictions of Geneva harbor.

Patek Philippe is one of only seven companies with over SFr1 billion in watch sales in recent years, along with [[Audemars Piguet]] and [[Rolex]] among independents.

===== The most successful brand at big auctions =====

{{wst>image_cl|Patek Philippe|Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 5002|Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 5002|300px}}

Among watch connoisseurs Patek Philippe is regarded as the leading brand, not least because of the tradition of the company and continuously delivered horological peak performances, for instance in the area of [[complication]]s. Characteristic of this are the many inventions that have affected the fine watchmaking. From [[1845]] (modern [[crown winding]]) until [[1996]] ([[Patek Philippe Annual Calender|annual calender]]) Patek Philippe has been awarded over 70 patents.

The watches are not only sold as a consumer items, but also as investments with a very high stability of value. How coveted such highly complicated watches of this renowned manufacturer are, is unmistakably reflected in the auction results: A model [[Patek Philippe World Time|World Time]] from [[1946]] in [[platinum]] reached on 14 April [[2002]] in [[Geneva]] a price of more than 6.5 million CHF and so holds the record for the most expensive wristwatch auctioned. The 20 most expensive wristwatches in the world that were ever sold at an auction come exclusively from the house of Patek Philippe (for pictures of the watches see: [[http://www.worldtempus.com/pit/wt/2/358|Worldtempus: Record auction sales]])).

===== The Patek Philippe Museum =====
On 8 November [[2001]] the [[Patek Philippe Museum]] opens in [[Geneva]], documenting the development of the watchmaking art from the 16th Century to the present day by numerous valuable exhibits. It is the most comprehensive collection that has so far been collected on this topic.

===== A Note on Model Naming =====
Patek Philippe categorizes models in many different ways. The name of a given watch is made up of the following components:

  * The base model name (e.g. //[[Patek Philippe Aquanaut|Patek Philippe Aquanaut]]//)
  * The model version (e.g. //[[Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time|Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time]]//)
  * The model reference number (e.g. //[[Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time 5650|Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time, Ref. 5650]]//)
  * The case material code (e.g. //[[Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time 5650|Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time, Ref. 5650G]]//)
  * The model year (e.g. //[[Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time 5650|2017 Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time, Ref. 5650G]]//)

Note that many Patek Philippe enthusiasts will refer to watches using the reference number since it is more specific than the model name or version. Some models vary quite substantially over years of production, all while keeping the same model name, version, and even reference number.

Watch Wiki uses the model name, version, and reference number without the year or case material code (e.g. [[Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time 5650]]). Watches are categorized {{tagpage>Patek_Philippe_models|Patek Philippe models}} and {{tagpage>Patek_Philippe_references|Patek Philippe references}}.

===== Case Material Codes =====
The following case material codes are commonly used:
  * A - [[Stainless steel]]
  * G - [[White gold]]
  * J - [[Yellow gold]]
  * P - [[Platinum]]
  * R - [[Rose gold]]
  * T - [[Titanium]]

Models with a metal bracelet put "/1" before the case material code.

===== Patek Philippe calibres =====
See:
  * [[Patek Philippe calibres]] - Calibre List

===== More Infos =====
  * {{tagpage>Patek_Philippe_references|Patek Philippe references}}
  * {{tagpage>Patek_Philippe_Advanced_Research_models|Patek Philippe Advanced Research models}}

===== Literature =====
  *[[Das große Uhrenlexikon]]; Author [[Fritz von Osterhausen]]; ISBN 3898804305
  *[[Patek Philippe, Geneve]]; Authors [[Martin Huber]], [[Banbery, Alan|Alan Banbery]]; ISBN 3906500012
  *Patek Philippe. Komplizierte Armbanduhren; Authors Giampiero Negretti, Paolo DeVecchi; ISBN 382901449X
  *[[Das ZEITGEFÜHL-Uhrenbuch]]; Author [[Gerd-Lothar Reschke]]; ISBN 3-938607-61-0

===== Address =====
Patek Philippe Genève\\ Chemin du pont-du-centenaire 141\\ CH-1228 [[Plan-les-Ouates]]\\ P.O. Box 2654\\ CH-1211 Genf 2\\ Tel. +41 22 884 20 20\\ Fax +41 22 884 20 40

===== Weblinks =====
  *[[https://www.patek.com/|Patek Philippe]], company website
  *[[https://www.patek.com/en/company/patek-philippe-museum/the-museum|Patek Philippe Museum]], company website


{{tag>Watch_brands Watch_brands_Switzerland Manufactures Vallée_de_Joux Geneva Plan-les-Ouates Le_Brassus Patek_Philippe Luxury_watch_brands}}