Patek Philippe was founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish émigré Antoni (Antoine Norbert de) Patek and watchmaker Franciszek Czapek. French watchmaker Adrien Philippe, inventor of keyless winding, joined Patek in 1845, and the company became Patek Philippe & Co. in 1851. Since 1932 it has been owned by the Stern family, and Thierry Stern has been president since 2009. Patek’s history of complications and rarity is why its watches hold value so well, and why they are strong collateral: Borro lends up to 65% of a watch’s value, with funding in as little as one business day.
Patek Philippe History at a Glance
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1839 | Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek found Patek, Czapek & Co. in Geneva |
| 1845 | Adrien Philippe, inventor of keyless winding, joins Patek |
| 1851 | The company becomes Patek Philippe & Co. |
| 1868 | Patek makes one of the first Swiss wristwatches |
| 1925 | First perpetual calendar wristwatch |
| 1932 | Charles and Jean Stern acquire the company |
| 1933 | Henry Graves Supercomplication completed |
| 1976 | Nautilus launched |
| 1989 | Calibre 89 marks the 150th anniversary |
| 1996 | Annual calendar introduced |
| 2009 | Patek Philippe Seal introduced; Thierry Stern becomes president |
Own a Patek Philippe? Borro lends up to 65% of the value of fine watches, with loans from $2,500, no credit check and funding in as little as one business day. Get a no-obligation quote or call 720-458-6788.
Who Founded Patek Philippe?
Antoni Patek, a Polish cavalry officer who emigrated to Geneva, founded the company in 1839 with fellow Pole Franciszek Czapek. After that partnership ended in 1845, Patek joined forces with Adrien Philippe, a French watchmaker who had invented a keyless winding and hand-setting system using the crown, the method still used today. The firm took the name Patek Philippe & Co. in 1851.
A Tradition of Innovation
Patek built its reputation on complications. It made one of the first Swiss wristwatches in 1868, the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925, and the Henry Graves Supercomplication pocket watch, completed in 1933, which remained the most complicated watch in the world for decades. The Calibre 89 of 1989 surpassed it, and in 1996 Patek introduced the annual calendar. Explore Patek’s Grand Complications.
The Stern Family Since 1932
During the Great Depression, Patek Philippe faced financial difficulty, and in 1932 it was acquired by brothers Charles and Jean Stern, who owned a dial-making company and were among Patek’s suppliers. The family has run it ever since, through Henri Stern, Philippe Stern and, since 2009, Thierry Stern. Family ownership is widely credited with Patek’s long-term focus and limited production.
Iconic Patek Philippe Watches
- Calatrava (1932): the archetypal round dress watch.
- Nautilus (1976): Gérald Genta’s luxury steel sports watch. See our Nautilus guide.
- Aquanaut (1997): a sportier, rubber-strapped sibling.
- Perpetual calendar chronographs such as the 1518 and 2499, now auction icons.
Why Patek Philippe Watches Hold Their Value
Limited production, independent family ownership, complicated movements and the promise to service and restore any watch it has made all support Patek’s resale values. Its famous slogan, “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation,” introduced in 1996, captures that positioning. Read more about Patek Philippe value retention.
Can You Get a Loan Against a Patek Philippe?
Yes. Borro lends up to 65% of a watch’s value, with a minimum loan of $2,500. A Patek Philippe valued at $60,000 could support a loan of up to about $39,000.
- No credit check and no personal guarantee. Your watch secures the loan, and Borro does not ask for personal or business financial statements.
- Fast funding. Once your loan is approved, funds can arrive in as little as one business day.
- You keep ownership. Your Patek is held in fully insured, secure safekeeping for the loan term and returned when you repay.
- Private and discreet. Borro has lent more than $1 billion to clients across the country and holds an A+ BBB rating.
Learn more about Patek Philippe loans with Borro or luxury watch loans.
A Family’s Patience, Worn on Your Wrist
Some brands sell you a watch. A few hand you a lineage. Open the caseback of a Patek Philippe and you are looking at nearly two centuries of stubborn, beautiful insistence that the work be done properly, whatever that costs in hours. A family has kept it that way since 1932, and you can feel their influence in every finished edge.
Wear one and you notice the quiet. The case settles on the wrist with a calm that is almost domestic. The dial is restrained, never shouting, the hands moving with a deliberateness that makes you slow down too. People who know will glance, nod, and say nothing. People who do not will simply find themselves looking again.
And there is the story you carry with it: the first perpetual calendar on a wrist, the supercomplication that stood alone for decades, the calibre made to mark an anniversary. You are not just keeping time. You are keeping company with a tradition of craftsmen who believed that a watch could be the most complicated and most personal object a person owns.
Pieces like these are made to be passed on. If a season ever calls for capital, Borro lends against fine watches, holding yours in insured, secure safekeeping while ownership remains with you. When you repay, the Patek returns to your wrist, as unhurried as ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I borrow against my Patek Philippe?
Yes. Borro lends up to 65% of a watch’s value, with loans from $2,500, no credit check and funding in as little as one business day.
Who founded Patek Philippe?
Antoni Patek, with Franciszek Czapek in 1839; Adrien Philippe joined in 1845.
When was Patek Philippe founded?
In 1839, in Geneva.
Who owns Patek Philippe?
The Stern family, since 1932. Thierry Stern has been president since 2009.
What did Adrien Philippe invent?
A keyless winding and hand-setting mechanism using the crown.
See how much your Patek could unlock. Borro’s watch loans start at $2,500, with no credit check and no personal guarantee. Apply now or call 720-458-6788 to speak with a valuation expert.
