The Making Of A Patek Philippe Watch

Unlike most watch manufacturers around the world, there is no assembly line that mass produces watches at Patek Philippe. The making of a Patek Philippe watch is an exercise in blending the newest technologies and the finest traditions of master craftsmanship.

As an independent firm, this watch manufacturer controls every step from design to construction of every watch produced. The components are crafted using the latest technologies, then decorated and finished in the tradition of Geneva.

Every individual tooth on each pinion and gear wheel is polished by hand. Every individual component is meticulously honed and refined to the tightest of tolerances. Every movement created in this workshop is created from the combined expertise of hundreds of master craftsmen. In fact, the complexity of the movement determines the number of steps it goes through before receiving the stamp of approval. On average, this means between 1200 and 1500 steps per individual movement.

With this type of craftsmanship going into every watch produced, it is no wonder that a single Patek Philippe watch fetches from six to eleven million US dollars at auction. These timepieces feature the best of traditional watch making skills and the newest innovations in technology to produce something that can become a family heirloom and be passed from generation to generation.