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Patek Philippe

On May 1st, 1839 two Polish immigrants, Antoni Patek (Businessman) and Franciszek Czapek (Watchmaker) joined forces to found «Patek, Czapek & Cie» in Geneva. In 1844, Mr. Patek met the French watchmaker, Mr. Adrien Philippe in Paris where the latter presented his pioneering stem winding and setting system by the crown. In 1845 when Czapek decided to leave the company and to continue his activity on his own, the company name changed for «Patek & Cie». Later on, in 1851 when Mr. Philippe officially associated with the company, it was rebaptised «Patek Philippe & Cie» In 1932, the company was purchased by Charles and Jean Stern, two brothers owners of a fine dial manufacture in Geneva. Since then, «Patek Philippe S.A.» remains a family owned firm. In 2009 the company presidency was officially transmitted from the 3rd to the 4th generation: Mr. Thierry Stern became president and his father Mr. Philippe Stern, Honorary president.

As an independent family owned company, Patek Philippe enjoys total creative freedom to design, produce and assemble what experts agree to be the finest timepieces in the world. With its vast experience and more than 70 patents to its credit, Patek Philippe is the only manufacture that crafts all of its mechanical movements according to the strict specifications of the Geneva Seal. These precious, timeless elegant watches, proudly handed down from one generation to the next, are the result of latest-generation technology combined with traditional watch making know-how.

Today, Patek Philippe includes the main workshops and headquarters at Plan-les-Ouates, the case and bracelet workshops at Perly, the Patek Philippe Museum at Plainpalais, all in Geneva, as well as the Patek Philippe Salons in Geneva, Paris, and London.

"Patek Philippe is a true “watch manufacture” meaning that company controls all stages in the making of watches, from design to production, from assembly and finish to distribution. The uniquely comprehensive nature of production method has many important benefits. Certain traditional skills and tools, which have not changed for hundreds of years, can still be used on a daily basis. The experience and know-how of master watchmakers is passed on to new generations. The company also preserves the traditional “Art of Fine Watch making”, the criteria of which were established by the Republic of Geneva in 1886, with the creation of the Geneva Seal. The Geneva Seal hallmark is the highest official endorsement of watch making quality and excellence. It certifies that all our watches have been made in this tradition.

Mr. Stern’s passion for timepieces has resulted in the opening in 2001 of a “Temple to watch making”: The Patek Philippe Museum. Located in an entirely restored Art Deco building in the area of Plainpalais in Geneva, the museum houses over four centuries of watch making divided into two important collections: the extraordinary antique collection from the 16th century, which includes the earliest ever watch made and the Patek Philippe collection from 1839 onwards. The latter testament to over 165 years of manufacturing the world's finest watches and includes the most complicated timepiece ever made, the Caliber 89. This astonishing Museum is a logical and faithful conclusion to a true legacy of genius.