Vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava wristwatch

Patek Philippe is a Swiss luxury watchmaker founded in 1839 by Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe. The company has a rich history of crafting high-quality and innovative timepieces, and is considered one of the most prestigious and renowned watch brands in the world.

In the early years, Patek Philippe specialized in crafting pocket watches, and was known for their intricate and highly complicated movements. In 1868, they created the first Swiss wristwatch, which was a custom-made timepiece for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary.

Throughout the early 20th century, Patek Philippe continued to innovate and create some of the most complicated wristwatches of the time. They also produced many iconic designs, such as the Calatrava, the Nautilus, the Grand Complications, the Annual Calendar, and the Aquanaut.

During World War II, the company temporarily shifted their focus to creating military wristwatches for the Swiss Army. In the post-war years, they more... resumed their production of luxury timepieces, and continued to create highly complicated and innovative watches.

In 1989, Patek Philippe celebrated their 150th anniversary with the release of the Calibre 89, which was the world's most complicated mechanical watch at the time, featuring 33 complications.

Since the Great Depression in 1932, the company has been owned by the Stern family in Switzerland and remains the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in Geneva. Patek Philippe continues to be a highly sought-after brand, known for their exquisite craftsmanship, intricate movements, and timeless designs. less...