Patek Philippe is an example of old-world luxury, first founded in 1839, and delivering high-quality watches and timepieces ever since.
Founded and headquartered in Switzerland, Patek Philippe is one of the few brands that is still run today by the family who elevated it to worldwide success – underpinning the timeless design of its watches with a timeless history.
Despite the classic look of every watch that Patek Philippe manufactures and delivers, one of the main things to note about this brand is the innovation that lies behind every component of every watch.
As a brand, Patek Philippe is known to consistently push boundaries – so much so that it holds over 100 different patents on various elements and features of its watches. It has also brought several of the world’s most iconic watch models to the market. The Aquanaut is a modern sports watch buoyed by the quality of Patek Philippe’s integrated mechanisms, while the Nautilus takes its sport function and shrouds it in luxury.
Suffice to say, if you’re looking for a brand that embodies the needs of its customers as well as the demand for luxury and timeless elegance, then you can’t go wrong with Patek Philippe.
But what role does celebrity play in the rise of this brand, and how have endorsements helped the brand to become one of the most desired luxury watch brands on the market?
The Early Connection with High Society
When we talk about brand partnerships and marketing via celebrity ambassadors today, we typically picture adverts, red-carpet appearances, paparazzi shots, and engineered marketing campaigns.
While this has become a part of Patek Philippe’s approach in the 21st century, the brand’s brush with celebrity started long before TV adverts were a thing.
In fact, one of the reasons behind the brand’s success is its link with royals back in 1851, when Queen Victoria acquired and was seen to be wearing a Patek Philippe watch. Securing the brand’s connection with high society and royal families, the brand picked up attention across the market – culminating in a partnership with Tiffany & Co, followed by increased innovation and technological advancements.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Ever since then, and with the attention of the royals giving Patek Philippe the boost and high-society connection it needed to thrive, the brand continued its trajectory and link to celebrity.
Celebrity Partnerships and Endorsements of Today
For the modern buyer, names like David and Victoria Beckham, Ed Sheeran, Kevin Hart, Brad Pitt, and John Mayer will stand out.
Kylie Jenner, Ellen DeGeneres, and Mark Wahlberg are also owners and great fans of the Patek Philippe brand, showing that the watches not only remain a timeless staple among the world of A-list stardom but are also accessible for both the male and female market.
It’s easy to consider the models that Patek Philippe is most famous for, notably sports watches spanning the Nautilus and Aquanaut collections, and assume that the styles are largely quite masculine and functional above all else. However, the visionary focus of this brand means that the timeless balance of function and aesthetic is always front of mind.
How Patek Philippe Retains Its Demand Among A-List Celebrities
With that in mind, what is it about Patek Philippe that makes it such an in-demand and coveted brand?
Aside from the unrivalled quality that first attracted the attention of Queen Victoria and other royals more than a century ago, the Patek Philippe brand has established its position on the market by intricately bridging style with the core function of its watches.
What’s more, the brand relies on a classic hallmark of luxury product creation and marketing, by always undercutting demand by a significant amount. One of the most interesting facts about Patek Philippe is that, since it was first founded in 1839, under one million watches have been produced in total. What this tells us is that production remains low – securing the coveted and exclusive status that surrounds each and every model of Patek Philippe watch.
This, combined with the quality of each piece, the reputation of a brand that’s loved by celebrities and those in high society, and of course the high price point that reserves these watches for very specific buyers and markets, makes owning a Patek Philippe watch a goal that many strive towards.
The Best Patek Philippe to Invest In
As the brand itself says in one of its most famous taglines: “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.” When it comes to investing in and buying a Patek Philippe, you are not simply buying a practical accessory – you are buying a piece of history, and something that will last well beyond your own years.
You need only look at the quality of vintage Patek Philippes to see how well made these pieces are. Patek Philippe does not do anything by halves and is famous for only ever producing a new collection of watches when it has something new and truly special to add to the market.
For all of these reasons and so many more, you can’t go far wrong with any authentic Patek Philippe. In actual fact, the biggest challenge facing a buyer isn’t identifying the best piece to invest in but rather finding an authentic watch that is available and doesn’t have a long waitlist of established buyers.
The best way to buy a Patek Philippe watch is via a reputable reseller, ideally in a local boutique that you can visit and that allows you to browse different models. Then, and only then, can you experience the power of a brand that is loved by celebrities and coveted by a wide audience of all ages.