Patek Philippe [FURL]https://www.topwatch.co.za/brand/Patek-Philippe[/FURL] has built a solid reputation for manufacturing luxury Swiss watches as well as clock timepieces. With an immense dedication to precision and made from only the very best materials, the type that will give any watch reliable longevity, the Patek Philippe brand is in every way luxurious. Based in Geneva and in the Vallee de Joux, Switzerland, Patek Philippe is today owned by the well-known Stern family but was founded in 1839 by the Polish watchmaker Antoni Patek. Working alongside his watch making partner Franciszek Czapek, Patek made beautiful pocket watches.
In time their relationship would sour with disagreements and the company was liquidated less than 10 years after it was founded. Czapek would go on to find a new company with a new partner, while Patek would join the French watchmaker Adrien Philippe, who was the inventor of the keyless winding mechanism.
In 1851, the company name changed from Patek & Cie to Patek, Philippe & Cie, and in that same year the company gifted the Queen of Britain a keyless pendant watch decorated with a bouquet of flowers featuring rose cut diamonds. The Queen so enjoyed the Patek Philippe timepiece that she eventually added another to her growing collection and would wear it pinned to her clothing.
The company developed a bit of a reputation for developing watches for aristocracy and would also eventually make their first wristwatch specifically for the Countess Koscowicz of Hungary.
When the original founders of the company passed on, first Patek and then Philippe, the Patek family did not join the company to ensure a family run continuation. Rather the son-in-law of Philippe took Patek’s position. Before Philippe’s death, his position was given to his youngest son.
In 1901, the company became a joint-stock company and while still a Philippe run family business, there was now also shareholders and a board of directors to consider.
In 1932, the company was taken over by the Stern family who to this day are still involved. Since the company changed hands, it has gone on to produce thousands of stunning Swiss luxury watches which continue to be loved the world over.
The year 2018 alone saw the sales of 62 000 watches. To keep up with the demand and to ensure that the company continues to manufacture good quality watches, each year the number of watches produced increases by around 1 -3 percent.
An interesting fact about Patek Philippe watches is that out of the top 58 most expensive watches ever sold, 46 of them are Patek Philippe watches.
Patek Philippe Collections
As it stands, there are 10 beautiful watch collections for buyers to choose from. These include the Complications, Grand Complications, Gondolo, Aquanaut, Golden Ellipse, Calatrava, Nautilus, Rare Handcrafts, Pocket Watches, and Twenty~4.
These watches are manufactured from only the finest materials and are embellished with gorgeous designs and rare stones. The collections offer something for everyone and are as beautiful in the boardroom as they are durable in the sports arena.
You can find a pre-owned Patek Philippe watch among our selection of secondhand luxury watches.
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