5 fascinating facts about luxury watch brand Patek Philippe

The origins of its founders, the invention of the modern winding crown, and the unique diamond on the case are just some of the things about Patek Philippe that not everyone knows.

The founders of this Swiss watch brand were not Swiss. Patek Philippe was founded by Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek. Antoni was Polish. He was a cavalry second lieutenant from the age of 19 and emigrated to Geneva, Switzerland in 1835 after the uprising between the Poles and the Russian Empire. There, he met his fellow Pole of Czech origin, François Czapek, who later became his partner in the watch company.

However, the name Patek Philippe only appeared in 1851, after the talented French watchmaker Jean Adrienne Philippe joined the company. None of the three key figures in the formative stages of Patek Philippe were Swiss. Pictured is the inscription "Patek Philippe Geneve" on the table clock Ref. 27000M-001 (2025).

The modern winding crown is Patek Philippe's invaluable contribution to the field of mechanical watches. Today, almost every mechanical wristwatch, from simple to sophisticated, is wound and adjusted using a crown. In addition to winding by turning, the time indicators or other functions can also be adjusted by pulling the crown to different positions. Few people know that Patek Philippe made a significant contribution to this mechanism. Pictured is the crown embossed with the Patek Philippe Calatrava cross on the Grand Complication Ref. 5308G-001 wristwatch (2025).

The crown combined with the push-button on the split-seconds chronograph Grand Complication Ref. 5370R-001 (2025).

Determined to overcome the limitations of the keyless watch operating systems of the time, Jean Adrienne Philippe invented a sophisticated and compact mechanism that allowed winding and time setting with the same crown. Jean Adrien Philippe's groundbreaking mechanism was patented shortly after its launch in 1845. It was thanks to this invention that he was sought out by Antoni Patek.

The unique diamond on the bezel of some Patek Philippe watches: This accent is not just a decorative element but also a unique feature in the Patek Philippe collection. In 1999, then-president Philippe Stern, now honorary president, suggested the company use a small diamond to celebrate the special material, platinum. According to a brand representative, platinum is a unique material because it is very rare, extremely pure, highly durable, does not tarnish over time, and is especially difficult to work with. Pictured is the round-cut diamond at the 6 o'clock position on the Calatrava Ref. 6196P-001 (2025).

The baguette-cut diamond on the Cubitus Ref. 5822-001 (2024).

Today, the case diamond is a hallmark on all of the brand's platinum watch cases, usually set at the 6 o'clock position between the lugs. In some cases, this diamond may be placed at the 12 o'clock position if there is an important component between the lugs (such as a bell gong).

16 million watch parts are produced in-house by Patek Philippe in Switzerland each year. The components are of approximately 10,000 different types, produced by more than 400 skilled craftsmen using over 400 specialized machines. This number demonstrates the in-house production capacity of the Geneva-based manufacturer. For example, the details on the watch with retrograde hand display, dual glass, and exposed mechanism Ref. 6159G-001 (2025) are all produced in-house by Patek Philippe.

Patek Philippe sets its own highest standards in the Swiss watch industry with the Patek Philippe Seal: In terms of reliability, all of the brand's watches must guarantee an accuracy of -1/+2 seconds/day, applicable to all watches with mechanical movements equipped with Spiromax balance springs made of Patek Philippe's exclusive Silinvar material, or Breguet balance springs. In addition, other stringent requirements, such as a testing period of up to 50 days before delivery or a minimum water resistance of 30 meters, surpass renowned standards such as COSC, the Geneva Seal, and METAS. Pictured is the "pilot" style Calatrava Ref. 5524G-010 (2025), equipped with a Spiromax balance spring and bearing the Patek Philippe Seal, with an accuracy of -1/+2 seconds/day.

Hai My

Photo: Patek Philippe

In Vietnam, Tam Son is the official distributor of the Patek Philippe brand through the following store system:

Patek Philippe Boutique Hanoi:

- Address: Shop 1 – Sofitel Metropole Hotel, 15 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

- Opening hours: 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

- Phone: 024 3828 1010.

- Email: patekphilippe.hn@tamsonfashion.com

Patek Philippe Boutique Ho Chi Minh City:

- Address: 1st Floor, Union Square, 171 Dong Khoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

- Opening hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

- Phone: 028 3636 7780.