A Watch with a Track Record of Royalty and Patents: Patek Phillipe Nautilus

Many watch companies pride themselves on beauty, elegance, and innovation, but few can claim the prestige of having multiple wearers of royal and celebrity status. Patek.com is a luxury watch brand that has a long history of providing quality time pieces for those of class that demand excellence. Such a reputation is not earned without a dedication to quality and innovation, two characteristics that Patek Phillipe excels in.

Luxury is Spoken in Many Languages

From Egypt to Hungary to the USA, Patik Phillipe is worn by the elite all over the world making it an international name to remember. Throughout the brand’s history Patek Phillipe has proven its worth by receiving the most powerful endorsement that a luxury brand can acquire; to be worn by individuals that are well known and respected. As far back as 1851, Patek Phillipe watches have been recognized as an elegant brand with Queen Victoria of England admiring the world’s first keyless watches. A little less than two decades later in 1868, Patek Phillipe created the first Swiss wristwatch for the Countess Koscowicz of Hungary. Some of the other royal customers of Patek Phillipe include:
  • - Hussein Kamel - The Sultan of Egypt from 1914-1917
  • - Princess Louise of Denmark - Princess of Denmark from 1897-1906
  • - Pope Pius IX - Longest reigning elected pope from 1846-1878
  • - Pope Leo XIII- Oldest pope of the catholic church from 1878 to 1903, who reigned until age 93
Although many big names that have worn Patek Phillipe watches have been in the past, the watch company continues to impress in the twenty first century. To be specific, Bradd Pitt is known to sport a Patek Phillipe Nautilus, a watch that debuted in the 1970s when luxury steel sport watches became popular. Brad was seen wearing his blue dial Nautilus while donating his time and effort to the Make it Right project in New Orleans.

A History of Patents

When viewing the long list of innovations, firsts, and patents that Patek Phillipe has accomplished over the years, it is no surprise that elite individuals turn to the brand for their style and time-keeping needs. The company emphasizes research and development and quality control to ensure that each watch that bears the Patek Phillipe name is world-class. The company operates each watch for 1200 hours, or 50 days, before it is ever sold to a customer. It can take anywhere from three to five years to develop a new watch model, and sometimes as much as nine years in the case of the Caliber 89. Like a fine wine, Patek watches are given adequate time to fully develop and mature into the full flavor. In addition to having a department for development of new watches, Patek has a department dedicated totally to the research of new technologies and materials. With a business and design philosophy to create the most innovative and unique watches, Patek Phillipe has been able to secure many industry firsts as well as patents. Below is a list of a few of the company’s many patents throughout its history:
  • - Precision Regulator
  • - Perpetual Calendar
  • - Split Seconds Chronograph
  • - Gyromax Balance Wheel
  • - Self Winding Mechanisms
  • - Time Zone Watches
These innovations have led the watchmaker to break records for the most expensive watches ever sold. In 1999, an ultra-complicated pocket watch that was made for Henry Graves Jr. was auctioned after his death for $11,000,000. Later in the 2000s, the company sold the most expensive watch at Hong Kong Sotheby’s for $1.49 million. On May 10, the company beat its own record and sold a chronograph wrist watch for $5.5 million in Geneva. The company was started in 1839 by Antoni Patek who handled the business affairs and Franciszek Czapek who designed the watches. The company was originally called Patek, Czapek & Cie, but was later changed to Patek Phillipe and was bought out by Charles and Jean Stern in 1932. Since then, the company has been family owned and is on its fourth generation with Thierry Stern as President.
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