Patek Philippe Water Drop

The 'Holy Trinity' of watch brands: Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin.

Perhaps the most celebrated of the three, Patek Philippe has an unrivaled reputation for crafting some of the most complicated — and some of the simplest, yet most beautiful — timekeepers the market has seen.

Sports watches came later to Patek, as pressure from the new 'luxury sports watch' category introduced in the early 1970s forced the storied brand to evolve — but historically, classically-styled dress pieces is where the maison cut its teeth.

This particular timepiece is a classic representation of the jewelry/ watch intersections of midcentury that helped build Patek's reputation. Measuring 16mm in yellow gold, it boasts a smooth bezel, with a brilliantly supple multi link waterdrop bracelet, an unsigned winding crown, and a petite black dial with diamond shaped gold indexes.

Powered by a hand-wound movement, this watch is equal parts watchmaking and fine jewelry. Few brands produce watches of this kind in the modern market, and it is pieces like this one that are the types of watches that made Analog:Shift the place it is today. So much personality, packaged with the class of Patek Philippe! 

Founded in Geneva in 1839, Patek Philippe occupies a rare position in watchmaking: a manufacture whose name has become shorthand for the very highest level of traditional Swiss horology. Its reputation has been built not simply on complication, but on an extraordinary continuity of design, technical innovation, hand-finishing, and craftsmanship. From the elemental elegance of the Calatrava to milestones such as the Reference 1518, the first serially produced perpetual-calendar chronograph wristwatch, Patek Philippe has repeatedly created watches that define their categories rather than participate in them.

Family-owned and independent since the Stern family acquired the company in 1932, Patek has the unusual freedom to think in generations rather than seasons. That independence has produced some wonderfully contrarian decisions, including discontinuing the wildly desirable steel Nautilus Reference 5711 at the height of its popularity. Today, its collection spans restrained dress watches, complicated masterpieces, and contemporary icons such as the Nautilus and Aquanaut, yet a remarkably consistent design language runs through them all.

For many collectors, owning a Patek Philippe represents something close to the summit of the hobby; for others, Patek becomes the hobby itself. Either way, few manufactures combine history, mechanical achievement, design, rarity, and emotion quite so convincingly. And, yes, as the famous campaign has reminded us for decades, ownership is supposedly temporary. You never actually own a Patek Philippe…

Well, you know the rest.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.