What is the appeal of Patek Philippe, one of the “world’s three great timepieces”?

History of Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe began with two Polish founders

Patek Philippe was founded in 1939 by two Poles, Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek, who founded the ” Patek, Czapek & Cie ” company. At that time, the company produced and sold custom-made pocket watches with designs inspired by history and culture.

Another key player in Patek Philippe’s history

Jean Adrien Philippe, inventor of the winding crown and time-setting mechanism, joined the company in 1945. After the departure of his co-founder, Frantisek Chapek, the company was renamed ” Patek & Philippe Cie ” in 1951. In other words, one of the people who gave the brand its name its roots was not the founder.

Patek Philippe developed the first Swiss wristwatch.

When Patek Philippe exhibited the world’s first “keyless pocket watch” at the 1851 World’s Fair in London, it was admired by many famous people, including Queen Victoria. Patek Philippe continued to gain fame for its innovative products, and in 1868 created the ” No. 27368 “, the first wristwatch in Switzerland. This wristwatch, with its luxurious rectangular case and yellow gold bracelet, was sold to Countess Koskowicz of Hungary.

Birth of the ” Patek Philippe ” brand.

Even after the death of the founding members, Patek Philippe continued to develop innovative products and pioneer global markets such as Japan and the United States. In 1929, however, the Great Depression took its toll on the company. In 1932, the Stern brothers purchased the brand and renamed it ” Patek Philippe S.A. “. Philippe S.A.” was born. Since then, the Stern family has continued to run the company until the current president, Thierry Stern.