By 
Patek Philippe watches are what truly drew me into the watch world. The beauty of the complications is worth the investment for your collection. (Or admire from afar as I do whenever I step into our trendy showroom at Avi & Co.)
A Patek is a grail watch, for new collectors and even long-time enthusiasts. Even my 85-year-old Grandpa who has been collecting timepieces for years is still waiting for his opportunity to purchase one. (He has asked me on multiple occasions to please, please let him ‘borrow’ one. But that’s neither here nor there…)
I believe what draws customers to the brand is its timelessness. Founded in 1839, it’s one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world. Patek holds the record for the most expensive watch sold online ($5.8 million on a Sky Moon Tourbillon, Reference #5002G).
Seeing Drake, Victoria Beckham, and Kevin Hart photographed in the brand oozes status and a need to own your own. Not to mention, the brand has a museum! It doesn’t get any more ambitious than that.
Aside from the fact that these timepieces are the epitome of precision, here are 4 things you should know about these exquisite timepieces:
Patek Philippe Watches are Exclusive
With Patek Philippe’s watchmaking perfection, you can expect an exclusive clientele. Since 1851, watches have been delivered to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Christian IX, Princess Louise of Denmark, and Victor Emmanuel III of Italy to name a few important figures.
To even purchase one of the most sought-after models, the Grandmaster Chime (reference #6300G), you need to apply. The Stern family, who own the brand, then needs to handpick you.
Released in 2016, this timepiece boasts a whopping 20 complications. It’s no wonder they would want the watch to specifically go to a collector who appreciates and values it. The watch can't go to someone who will just resell it on the market.
Owning a Patek Philippe watch is like being one of 600 people invited to the Met Gala each year. The luxury watch brand has produced less than 1 million watches since it originated 184 years ago. This is a surprisingly low supply, considering other luxury brands such as Rolex produce about 1 million watches per year!
But why is there so little inventory? For one, it takes about 9 months to make Patek’s most basic watch. More complicated ones can take up to two years. In addition, we complete everything in-house and by hand. As a result, the process slows down even more. You’re paying what it’s worth, that’s for sure.
Stainless Steel Nautilus, Blue Dial
Reference #5711
Patek Philippe is a Family-Owned Company
There's more tradition in a privately owned company. In 1932, brothers Jean and Charles Henri Stern purchased the company. Originally, the Stern family’s dial manufacturer supplied dials to the brand, allowing their trusted bond to form this successful acquisition.
Since then, Patek Philippe has pushed the boundaries in watchmaking standards. The Stern family continues to run the brand today, with Thierry Stern as president since 2009.
Brands will always change direction under new management. Even Audemars Piguet's current CEO will be resigning at the end of 2023. The brand's direction will change under new leadership.
Patek Philippe's ownership is now in its fourth generation, ensuring consistent, sustainable, and highly developed quality. “This level of expertise cannot be achieved overnight,” says WatchTime’s article about Patek Philippe watches.
What’s even more beautiful is how involved Thierry Stern is with the production side. This is a trait you don’t often hear about in such recognized companies. The president personally checks every single watch before it leaves the factory. That shows just how much pride he takes in his family’s company.
18K Rose Gold Complications, Brown Dial
Reference #7234R-001
Patek Philippe Watches are Dripping with Quality and Expertise
Quality is Patek Philippe’s most precious resource, and they continuously exceed industry standards. I admire that the brand values the company as a whole. Every person is crucial in turning the idea into the final product, from the watchmaker to the salesperson. High-quality employee training achieves this.
As an employee in the watch industry, I respect the fact that this is the same standard we have here at Avi & Co.
“Everybody is special,” Avi Hiaeve, CEO of the company, says. “Avi & Co. is like a car. If one wheel is out, you can’t drive. I don’t look at anyone as smaller than another person. Everyone is important to the company to keep growing.”
Patek Philippe has a lot of experience because they have been in the business for a long time. They have mastered everything from the standard complication to the moonphase. There are no guarantees in the watch world. Despite that, Patek Philippe watches will get more valuable over time.
The watchmaking industry introduced the silicon escapement wheel in 2005. The Advanced Research Annual Calendar (reference #5250) integrated it with a limited edition of 100 pieces. Patek created the most complicated watch in 2019. The Grandmaster Chime (Reference #6300G-010) consists of a whopping 20 complications which took over 100,000 hours to create.
Every component is produced in-house, and every single part of the watch is finished by hand. The immense attention to detail allows the company to continue thriving by never compromising on its journey for perfection.
18K White Gold Aquanaut, Blue Dial
Reference #5968G-001
The Infamous Nautilus Collection
With the rounded octagonal shape of its bezel and its horizontally embossed dial, the Nautilus has personified the luxury sports watch since 1976. The demand alone is so high that you must put your name on a waitlist. Today, the brand designs the collection in stainless steel, rose gold, white gold, or two-tone combinations. Each is more difficult to obtain than the last.
The Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak was a huge success. Patek knew it was time to develop an exclusive sports watch of their own. Luckily for Patek, Gerald Genta (the designer of the Royal Oak himself) jumped in at the opportunity to design a watch for Patek.
Genta explains, “I was at the restaurant of a hotel and some people from Patek were sitting in one corner of the dining hall, while I was sitting alone in the other corner. I told the head waiter, ‘Bring me a piece of paper and a pencil, I want to design something,’ and I designed the Nautilus while observing the people from Patek eating! It was a sketch that I completed in five minutes.”
The shape of a porthole inspired Genta. Four lateral screws secure the octagonal bezel of the watch to ensure water resistance. Each of the eight sides of the bezel traces a perfect arc of a circle. This makes a huge difference from a design point of view.
The fully integrated bracelet with a folding clasp contributes to the character of the popular watch. Patek Philippe produces the Nautilus model in different precious metals, completely iced out like the photo below, or with various complications. There is a model for every personality.
18K Rose Gold Nautilus, Factory Set Diamonds
Reference #7118-1450R
Don't wait on a luxury timepiece waiting list. Consider Avi & Co. for your Patek Philippe watches. You can visit us in our upscale showroom in NYC or Miami before making your investment. We look forward to helping you find your next treasured timepiece!
