On May 1, 1839, two Polish immigrants, businessman Antoni Patek and watchmaker Franciszek Czapek joined forces to establish Patek, Czapek & Cie in Geneva.
In 1844, Mr. Patek met the French watchmaker, Mr. Adrien Philippe, in Paris, where the latter presented his pioneering stem winding and setting system by the crown.
In 1845, when Czapek decided to leave the company and continue his activity on his own, the company name changed to Patek & Cie.
Later on, in 1851, when Mr. Philippe officially associated with the company, it was rebaptized Patek Philippe & Cie, before changing once more, in 1901, for Ancienne Manufacture d’Horlogerie Patek Philippe & Cie, S.A.
In 1932, the company was purchased by Charles and Jean Stern, two brothers, owners of a fine dial manufacturer in Geneva. Since then, Patek Philippe S.A. remains a family-owned firm.
In 2009, the company presidency was officially transmitted from the third to the fourth generation: Mr. Thierry Stern became president, and his father, Mr. Philippe Stern, was honorary president.
