Patek Philippe & Co. is a Swiss watch manufacturer currently owned by the Stern family and operated by Henri Stern and son. Patek Philippe watches have been worn by a number of notable individuals, including royalty, movie stars, and tycoons. Patek Philippe & Co. manufacture most of their own components.
Antoni Patek started making pocket watches in 1839 with his fellow Polish migrant Franciszek Czapek in Geneva. In 1845 Patek joined with the French watchmaker Adrien Philippe, inventor of the keyless winding mechanism. Patek Philippe & Co was founded in 1851. In 1868, Patek Philippe made their first wristwatch. Patek Philippe & Co have pioneered the perpetual calendar, split-second hand, chronograph, and minute repeater. Like most high-end watch companies, Patek Philippe & Co produce mostly automatic and manual watches.
