About Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe, and its history offer a compelling insight into how this unique, family-held watch company has dominated the Swiss watch industry for over 160 years. First, beginning as Patek, Czapek & Co. in 1839, then becoming Patek & Co. after Francois Czapek left the partnership, Patek made its name with their invention of the stem-winding and hand setting mechanism. Consistently singled out as the "Rolls Royce of watches", Patek Philippe began when joined Patek watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe officially became a partner in the 1851.

In 1867 during the Paris Exhibition, Patek Philippe displayed watches featuring functions that were to become the standard for complicated watches at the beginning of the 20th century; specifically a perpetual calendar, a repeater, and a chronograph with split seconds. Patek Philippe made the two most complicated watches of all time. The first, made for Henry Graves Jr. was completed at the beginning of the century, and the second, the Caliber 89, the world's most complicated watch, completed in 1989 (hence the name) to mark the firm's 150th anniversary. On the way to creating complex timepieces, Patek Philippe have made special watches for royalty, international writers, scientists, composers, explorers, and magnates.

Today the third generation of this family still owns and manages the company. Based in Geneva, it is jointly owned by president, Henry Stern, and his son, Philippe Stern. Stern is training his son Thierry to someday succeed him as president of Patek Philippe. Thus, when Thierry takes over the company, he will be the fourth generation of the Stern family entrusted with guiding the destiny of this unique House.