Patek Philippe The Last Family-Owned Independent Genevan Watch Manufacturer
Origin
Since 1839 without interruption, Patek Philippe has been perpetuating the tradition of Genevan watchmaking. As the
last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in Geneva, it enjoys total creative freedom to entirely design,
produce and assemble what experts agree to be the finest timepieces in the world following the vision of its
founders Antoine Norbert de Patek (1839) and Adrien Philippe (1845).
Mr Antoine Norbert de Patek Ancient Patek Philippe Workshop Mr Jean A. Philippe
Founder Founder
Values
Independence, tradition, innovation, quality and craftsmanship, rarity, value, aesthetics, service, emotion and legacy
are the fundamental values of the Genevan watchmaker. Patek Philippe has always aimed for perfection by creating
timepieces of unrivalled quality and reliability, the uniqueness and exclusiveness of which makes them rare and
precious pieces, a unique legacy to be handed down from one generation to the next.
Mr Philippe Stern Messrs Philippe and Mr Thierry Stern
Honorary President Thierry Stern President
The Company Today
Patek Philippe S.A. today comprises the main workshops at Plan-les-Ouates, with its administrative headquarters,
research activities into new technologies, development of new mechanisms, the creation division, the movement
component manufacturing workshops, and all the watchmaking activities from design to delivery, including after-
sales service and restoration; the case and bracelet workshops in Perly; the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, and
the exclusive Patek Philippe Salons in Geneva, Paris, and London. Patek Philippe also owns eight partner
companies outside the Canton of Geneva.
Patek Philippe Workshops Patek Philippe Workshops Main entrance
Plan-les-Ouates Plan-les-Ouates Plan-les-Ouates
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Exceptional timepieces
Packard challenges Graves, through Patek Philippe
The early twentieth century thus witnessed the start of one of the most remarkable and fascinating duels in
horological history. The brilliant automobile engineer, James W. Packard, and the mysterious New York financial
magnat, Henry Graves junior, shared a passion for fine watches and both men longed to possess the timepiece with
the greatest possible number of complications.
Both therefore turned to Patek Philippe, and the zest with which the firm seized and met the challenge secured its
place amongst the greatest names in horology. For James Ward Packard, whose celebrated Packard cars were to
become synonymous with Hollywood stars, jazz musicians and sports celebrities between the two world wars, Patek
Philippe created two ultra-complicated watches.
The first was delivered in 1916, with sixteen complications and the second in 1927, with ten. The latter included a
rotating celestial chart with 500 stars, representing the sky over Ohio, where Packard was born. But the worlds most
complicated timepiece was built for Graves. This pocket watch, delivered in 1933, had twenty-four complications and
was the result of six years research. Only fifty-six years later would Patek Philippe beat its own record, by creating
the Calibre 89.
James W. Packard Henry Graves
watch of 1927 watch of 1931
Caliber 89, the worlds most complicated timepiece
th
In 1989, the year of its 150 anniversary, Patek Philippe realized a dazzling tour de force by presenting its latest
creation, the Calibre 89. The fruit of nine years research and development, this jewel of horological knowledge and
skill, composed of 1798 parts, was the most complicated portable timepiece ever created.
With its thirty-three complications, the masterpiece surpassed the previous record holders: the Leroy of 1904, the
Packard of 1927 and the Graves of 1934, both of these last two built by Patek Philppe. The Calibre 89 embodied
unparalleled expertise and gave full expression to the three main types of complication: The calendar, the
chronograph and the striking mechanism, to which it added astronomical complications.
In addition to indicating mean sidereal time and incorporating the Gregorian calendar, the Calibre 89 is adorned with
a celestial chart on sapphire crystal, presenting the milky way and 2800 distinct northern-hemisphere stars in five
orders of magnitude. Amongst the most rare of its complications is the ability to display the coming years Easter
st
date at midnight each December 31 . Patek Philippe has patented this invention, which will indicate the changing
date of Easter, as set by the Vatican, until 2017.
Calibre 89 Calibre 89 Calibre 89
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Star Caliber 2000
To mark the new millennium, this pocket watch combines the most fascinating ever complications. The Star Caliber
2000, in addition to indicating the time, incorporates 21 different complications and thus ranks third among the
worlds most complicated watches, right after the Patek Philippe Caliber 89 (1989 33 complications) and the Patek
Philippe Graves (1933 24 complications). The dial on its front side features a full complement of time- and
calendar-related displays while the sky chart on the back side shows the apparent movements of the stars as well as
the orbit and phases of the moon. What really sets the Star Caliber 2000 apart is the degree of innovation it
embodies, with six patents granted or pending for the Westminster chime, the running equation of time, the display
of sunrise and sunset times, the movements of the sky and moon, the rapid calendar corrector, and the selective
sprung cover release mechanism.
Star Caliber 2000
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