A Story of Independence

The Founders

An encounter between Antoine Norbert de Patek and Jean Adrien Philippe changed the course of watchmaking history. They established a mission that has lasted nearly two centuries: to create the world’s most exquisite timepieces. Today, at Patek Philippe, we follow in the footsteps of their unique legacy of tradition, innovation and independence.

a Visionary Entrepreneur

Antoine Norbert de Patek

Antoine Norbert de Patek, born in Poland, settled in Geneva in the 1830s, where he founded Patek, Czapek & Co. in 1839 with Franciszek Czapek. While attending the Industrial Exposition in Paris in 1844, he discovered Jean Adrien Philippe and his keyless winding system. He invited him to Geneva where they created Patek, Philippe & Cie.

If you arrive by night, go to the Hotel du Lac and say to the landlady that I have recommended you... Adrien, take care of your health, come quickly and I will shake your hand.

Letter from Patek to Philippe after inviting him to Geneva, 1845

a Gifted Watchmaker

Jean Adrien Philippe

Jean Adrien Philippe started creating watch movements at 25. In 1842, he invented the keyless mechanism that attracted Patek’s attention. He added a “slipping” spring to his system around 1860, and obtained several other notable patents from 1845 to 1861. His legacy lives on today at Patek Philippe, where more than 100 patents have been filed.

a thriving Partnership

Patek’s entrepreneurial spirit coupled with Philippe’s watchmaking skills soon started to yield results where international travel played a pivotal role.

pp-workshops-3rd-floor-rue-du-rhone-archive-1920

Historic Site

Patek Philippe building on rue du Rhône, Geneva, 1850s.

Birth of a Legacy

The founding act of the company between Patek and Czapek, 1839

Ingenious System

Pocket watch by Jean Adrien Philippe, stem winding and setting (Museum Inv. P-1592), circa 1845.

Across the Atlantic

Antoine Norbert de Patek travels to the United States, marking the start of a very special relationship with this country (1850s).

Antoine Norbert de Patek’s personal pocket watch signed Patek, Czapek & Cie, Geneva, No. 87. It is on display at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva (Inv. P-01).

The key winding watch features a silver hunter case with rose gold hinges, and a satin-finished silver dial with painted Roman numerals and rose gold Breguet hands. The centre of the dial is engraved with scrolling foliage.

Custodians of Time

One of our first watches ever produced, pocket watch No. 87 (1839-1942), is stamped “Patek, Czapek & Cie”.

The name became “Patek & Cie” (1845) and “Patek, Philippe & Cie” (1851), until the comma was removed in 2009.