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In 1839 Antoine Norbert de Patek and Francois Czapek founded Patek, Czapek & Cie. In 1844 Mr. Patek met the French watchmaker, Mr. Adrien Philippe while in Paris where the latter presented his unique stem winding and setting system.
In 1851 the company was renamed Patek Philippe & Cie. That same year Patek & Cie supplied timepieces to Queen Victoria and her consort. The list of Patek Philippe notable past clientele includes Popes, Kings, Queens, Princes and many historical figures.
Over time Patek Philippe has set the standard for complicated timepieces. Creating many masterpiece movements.
In 1889 Patek Philippe patents the Perpetual Calendar mechanism.
In 1902 Patek Philippe filed the patent on the Split seconds chronograph.
In 1925 Patek Philippe creates the first wristwatch with a Perpetual Calendar.
Created in 1932, the Calatrava watch (Ref. 96) was inspired by the minimalist principles of Bauhaus, a German school of architecture and applied arts which taught that "form follows function" and "less is more". The dial shape is always round and reflects the circular shape of the movement.
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The name Calatrava comes from an
ancient Spanish order founded in 1158, whose coat of arms featuring the Calatrava cross- is today the manufacturers emblem.
In 1933 Patek Philippe produced an ultra complicated (24 function) pocket watch for Mr. Henry Graves Jr. After his death the timepiece was sold at auction for USD $11,000,000 which at the time was the most expensive timepiece ever sold.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus launched in 1976, found it's design inspiration form the universal shape of a porthole found on virtually all maritime vessels. To mark the 30th anniversary of the watch in 2006, Patek Philippe redesigned the Nautilus adding models with complications. The Nautilus was created to be an elegant sport watch.
In 1996 Patek Philippe patented the Annual Calendar mechanism which automatically displays the month, the day and the correct date for all months with 30 and 31 days.. The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar was chosen "watch of the Year" immediately after it was introduced.
On April 10, 2003 the Patek Philippe Ref. 5002P Sky Moon Tourbillion again set a new world record as the most expensive modern timepiece ever sold HK $11.75 million
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Watch enthusiasts now visit the Patek Philippe museum in Geneva,
Switzerland where they can view one of the most complete collections of horological history ever assembled.
Today the company is owned and run by Mr. Philippe Stern and his son Mr. Thierry Stern. Under their direction, Patek Philippe has become an iconic brand associated with the finest quality and craftsmanship. The company holds more than70 patents to its credit.
The Patek Philippe Seal
A new hallmark has been established to measure the quality and craftsmanship of each Patek Philippe timepiece. It is called the Patek Philippe Seal and will replace the Geneva Seal found on all of it's timepieces. To qualify for the Patek Philippe Seal, each mechanical movement must meet strict requirements with a degree of finishing that is an art form. Compliance with this standard results in masterpieces that are admired by connoisseurs of the fine Art of watch making. The Patek Philippe Seal will apply to the fully cased watch. This will include the complete movement, case, dial, hands, pushers, buttons, bracelets, straps, buckles and clasps. This new emblem of horological excellence goes beyond any existing standards of the swiss watch industry. It is a symbol of a world in which the exceptional becomes the rule. |
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