A scent with timeless appeal
Unquestionable luxury, unmatched craftsmanship: Patek Philippe
The slogan in the Patek Philippe advertising campaigns — “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation” — is more than just good copy. In 2009, Thierry Stern became the fourth generation of the Stern family to take charge of the prestigious Swiss watchmaker.
Before the Sterns, who bought the firm in 1932, descendants of Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe took leading turns. The “Generations” campaign is actually a reflection of the company’s DNA.
Patek Philippe watches are the most coveted of all. The most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction is a Patek Philippe 5016A, which fetched CHF7.3m at Phillips in Geneva in November 2015. A year earlier, the Henry Graves Supercomplication, a Patek pocket watch of 74mm diameter made in 1933, sold, after a 15-minute bidding war at Sotheby’s in Geneva, for CHF20.6m, making it the most expensive timepiece of any kind sold at auction — a mark that is yet to be surpassed.
When you buy a Patek Philippe you are making a singular commitment to watch manufacture of the highest order. Whoever’s fortunate enough to follow you in the next generation will inherit timeless style and mechanical perfection. Before then, there’s time enough to enjoy wearing your Patek. Never has “merely looking after” something been so pleasurable.