About Patek Philippe
How did Patek Philippe begin?
Patek Philippe traces its origins to 1839, when Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek began making watches together in Geneva. The French watchmaker Adrien Philippe joined in 1845, and in 1851 the house took the name it bears today.
In 1932 the company was acquired by the Stern family, who still own it. That same year saw the first Calatrava, reference 96, which defined the house's round dress watch.
The Nautilus followed in 1976, designed by Gérald Genta: a steel sports watch with a porthole-shaped case and an integrated bracelet. The Aquanaut, a sportier and more youthful line, arrived in 1997.
Alongside these sports models, Patek Philippe has remained known for its complications: calendars, chronographs and repeaters.
What do we check on a Patek Philippe?
On a Patek Philippe the inspection begins with consistency: reference, case number and movement number must belong together and match the papers.
Since 2009 the movements have carried the Patek Philippe Seal, the house's own quality standard, which replaced the Geneva Seal; on a recent watch it should agree with the movement visible through the display back.
We assess the finishing of case and bracelet, because on the Nautilus and Aquanaut rounded edges and blurred transitions between brushed and polished surfaces give away inexpert polishing.
We then look at the dial, the hands, the crown and the movement, including start, stop and reset on a chronograph. If the papers are missing, Patek Philippe can issue an extract from its archives on request. Whatever we find is stated in the description.
Which Patek Philippe models do we offer and look for?
Demand centres on the Nautilus: the steel 5711/1A, which left the collection in 2021, the 5712/1A with moon phase and power reserve, the 5980/1A chronograph and the 5811/1G in white gold.
In the Aquanaut line buyers mainly look for the 5167A and the 5968A chronograph. We also offer more classical models, such as the Calatrava and the calendar watches. If your reference is not online, we can search for it.
How do you buy, sell or trade in a Patek Philippe with us?
You buy a Patek Philippe from us through a request without obligation; we confirm availability personally, and payment by bank transfer only follows once you agree. Delivery is insured or by appointment.
You can sell outright, on consignment or as a trade-in.
With a Patek Philippe, originality, the condition of the finishing and the completeness of the set weigh heavily, so please state which documents you have and send clear photographs. Every request is assessed by hand, and a proposal only follows afterwards.
The Aequator Collection is an independent dealer and not an authorised Patek Philippe retailer.