ITS ABOUT TIME FOR HISTORY!

Good Morning People, I am writing this particular post even though I don't really want to, because to be honest Patek Phillipe has never really interested me. At the same time I do feel that it is important to enlighten you all on the history of one of the most respected, well finished and historic brands, that is one of the few that really retains it's value. I am talking about the One and Only Patek Phillipe. This brand has shattered all sorts of records in terms of Auction values, and their manufactured watch movements are amongst the best finished and most desired in the world by watch collectors. I must say their ads are quite annoying and sort of predictable "You Never Own a Patek Phillipe, You Merely Take Care Of It For The Next Generation." Even though it's a very safe ad campaign highlighting tradional values,it's cleverly written and sticks in the mind of the easily brainwashed, which has had such an impact that has influenced collectors on a worldwide scale to desire and revere it, as arguably the best watch in the world.

After doing research on the brand I must say I was quite intrigued with the fact that it is a family owned business, which is a huge astonishment considering every prestigious Watch brand today is owned by some sort of conglomerate. My hats off to Patek for that. Patek Phillipe to my surprise was started by two Polish Immigrants Antoni Patek who happened to be a salesman and Franciszek Czapek a respected watchmaker, they both started making pocket watches in Geneva Switzerland in 1839. Well, the plot thickens as in 1844 Mr Czapek decides to leave to pursue his passion for watchmaking,which was a really dumb move, and one year later in 1845 Mr Patek combines his efforts when he meets up with Adrian Phillipe, who was a watchmaker from France who was responsible for pioneering the key less winding mechanism.

Needless to say the partnership proved to be a great success because in 1851 Patek Phillipe was born. That same year the privileged manufacturer started to supply Queen Victoria and her consortium pocket watches, which opened the floodgates for other monarchy's all throughout Europe including the King and Queen of Denmark, The King Of Italy and the Prince of Egypt to order and bespoke watches from the highly esteemed brand. 7 years later in 1868 Patek Phillipe released their first wrist watch and as years passed Patek Phillipe has been responsible for the Perpetual Calender, The Split Seconds Hand, Chronograph and highly coveted Minute Repeater which are amongst the most revered complications in watchmaking and sought after by Patek Enthusiasts around the Globe.

In 1939 Patek Phillipe Changed Hands and was acquired by two brothers Charles and Jean Stern, and since then this company has been family owned with third generation President Mr. Phillipe Stern and his son fourth generation Vice President Thierry Stern. In the late 1800's Patek Phillipe used the Brave Spanish Knights emblem as their corporate symbol which is used as their very prestigious hallmark on all their watches today to set them apart from the rest.

As far as auctions go, there is nobody who commands more than Patek Phillipe. In December 1999 Patek Phillipe received the highest honor of having their 24 complications in one pocket watch be auctioned off at Sotheby's in December 1999 for an estimated eleven 11 million US dollars, which at that time was the most expensive timepiece ever sold. Then, On April 10, 2008, 2003 Ref# 5002P Sky Moon Tourbillon platinum Patek Philippe tourbillon wristwatch made the world history and holds the record as the most expensive modern wristwatch sold at Hongkong Sotheby's for HK$11.75 million ($1.49 million). This shattered the previous record of Vacheron Constantin Tour de l'Ile sold at Antiquorum for $1.4 million in Geneva in 2005.

As much as I feel that Patek Phillipe is for boring old frumpy farts especially with regards to their design, it is quite an astonishment to see that this brand has been family owned for 4 generations and has been able to maintain the highest standards in quality, precision and exclusivity, making them arguably the most sought after timepiece to obtain.

emblem pic courtesy of www.patekphillipe.com