Patek Philippe Luxury Swiss Watches

Patek Philippe watches have been said by many to be the “Rolls Royce of watches”, because of the brand’s devotion to craftsmanship, exclusivity and utter perfection. For over 170 years now, Patek Philippe has represented the gold standard of watchmaking, which is a fact recognized by collectors, dealers and enthusiasts alike.

The company came from an unassuming beginning, as Antoine Norbert de Patek and Francois Czapek decided to go into business together in 1839, with the name of Patek, Czapek & Co. Patek had briefly considered becoming an artist, but had instead become taken with overseeing the making of high-quality movements. Meanwhile, Czapek was a watchmaker of Czech and Polish ancestry.

The first five years of the company went fairly well, but things changed when Patek met Jean Adrien Philippe, a French immigrant who had already constructed a flat pocket watch that could be wound and set by the crown without need for a key. Patek had all but dissolved his partnership with Czapek already, and formed Patek & Co. in 1845. Six years later, Patek reorganized the firm as Patek Philippe & Co., as a way of recognizing the success the company found thanks to Philippe’s brilliant innovations.

This partnership went on until Patek’s death in 1877 (Philippe died 17 years later). Their partnership was a success because Patek was willing to travel all over the world to promote the young company, even though doing so was a very dangerous proposition in those days. Philippe would stay in Geneva, focusing on the technical innovations that Patek was introducing to those that he met.

When the two founders had passed away, three long-time employees became partners to ensure the company’s continued success. In 1910, Patek Philippe watches started to feature ebauches built in-house, and continued to put forth efforts similar to Patek’s by putting forth a proud face to the company, by building a lavish showroom and entertaining visits from the powerful and wealthy.

Of course, the Great Depression affected Patek Philippe like it did many other luxury watchmakers, which led to Jean Pfister being hired as general manager. This followed the sale of the company to Charles and Jean Stern, owners of the company that had supplied dials to Patek Philippe in the past.

The changes were not a bad thing, as Pfister moved towards having Patek Philippe controlling all aspects of the production of their watches. With models such as the Calatrava, the financial side of the company picked up the pace again. Pfister oversaw a period of great innovation until 1958, which Henri Stern took his place. Stern continued to grow the company while not deviating from its founding principles. Through his efforts, the firm was able to withstand the crisis that much of the industry was troubled by in the 1970’s.

Philippe Stern now runs the company, and has overseen the introduction of such designs as the Gondolo series. He also has stated that the company will not sell out to a conglomerate and will remain family-owned, as he is already grooming his own son, Thierry, to take over the reins one day. The Stern family has been successful in continuing the tradition begun by Patek and Philippe, and there are no signs of the company’s commitment to technological innovation and craftsmanship ever wavering.