The Cheapest Patek Philippe Watches: 2022 Update
Watch & Bullion
3 April 2018 | 6 min read
Last updated in 2022
One of the oldest and most established watch manufacturers on the globe, Patek Philippe has been trailblazing the way forward in luxury Swiss watches since 1851. The watchmaker’s watchmaker, the brand has cemented itself as true timekeeping royalty over the last 150 years with some of the most glamorous and intricate pieces of precision engineering on the market.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the cheapest Patek Philippe watches on the market. We say that flippantly, as given the luxury of the brand, even the cheapest model will set you back a few thousand pounds! This is especially true in 2022, as in the last three years, we’ve seen the PP used market soar due to production slowdowns!
Time’s ticking, let’s get started!
Quick Links:
- Patek Philippe History
- Cheapest Patek Philippe Watches:
A Brief History of Patek Philippe
Originally the coming together of Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe in 1845, this legendary watch powerhouse has created a number of hall of fame watch pieces, gaining some very powerful and popular fans on the way. Patek Philippe is the watch of choice for a number of high reigning monarchs including the British, Danish, and Italian heads of state. 150 years on, the organization is now owned and run by the Swiss Stern Family; but Patek Philippe shows no sign of letting up on its throne at the top of the luxury timepiece market, often reinventing its classic pieces for the modern timekeeping trends.
As you can imagine with the prestige of a brand such as Patek Philippe, these pieces don’t often come cheap. But don’t worry – we’re going to take a look at the current Patek Philippe collection to see if you can get your hands on a piece of the Swiss luxury, without having to be part of a royal family. If you’re ready to go, let’s take a look at our first piece…..
Patek Philippe Calatrava
If you’re looking to grab yourself a watch with the pure essence of everything Patek Philippe stands for in timekeeping, then look no further than the Calatrava. This piece has been a fan and critic favorite for multiple generations since its first launch in 1932 – bringing together a pure, rounded face with premium movements and precision.
The Calatrava has had many a facelift and upgrade since its first outing in the 30’s – over its 85-year life, variations have been seen in materials, chronograph, and strap design to provide appeal to a whole range of watch fans.
Given that long and timeless history, there are many different Calatrava styles on the market. If you’re interested in one of the newer pieces, remodeled early this century, you’ll be starting at around $13,000. If you’re looking to venture into the pre-owned market, you’re in luck! There are many different Calatrava variations to be found with the simplest specifications starting at around $7,000.
Patek Philippe Gondolo
First released officially in 1993, the Gondolo collection has a pretty unique history. The name originally comes from Patek Philippe’s association with Brazilian retailer Gondolo & Labouriau, in Rio de Janeiro, between 1902 and 1930. The Gondolo range incorporates some interestingly shaped watches that give them a distinct and unique look and feel within the market.
Many different versions of the Gondolo styling have been released through Patek Philippe’s long timeline, with the current range incorporating luxury with ‘art-deco’ design twists. Starting off brand new at around $26,000 the current Gondolo range is going to set you back substantially. If you’re happy to go for an older model, Gondolo’s can be found commonly online, pre-owned at around £8,000.
Note – We’ve featured the 4927G model here, but the Gondolo range has real variation in design between models – try comparing the 7041R and the 7099G to see what we mean!
Like the look of the Gondolo? Check out the Watch & Bullion stock of Patek Philippe’s here.
Patek Philippe Nautilus
Since 1976, the Patek Philippe Nautilus has brought the classic styling and sophistication of the brand to those customers with a more active side. This elegant sports watch takes a porthole case construction and couples it with a stunning horizontally embossed dial to create the perfect watch for those on the go!
Originally designed in Stainless Steel, the Nautilus can now be commonly found in stunning Rose, White, and Two-Tone Gold combinations whilst keeping the style and durability the range is known for. Again, the Nautilus has withstood the test of time and has a wide number of variations on the market, both new and preowned.
The starting price for a new Stainless Steel Nautilus is set around $25,000 when bought directly from Patek Philippe. But be aware, the waiting lists for a Nautilius are long and highly competitive.
Because of this, the pre-owned market is hyper-inflated in 2022. 40mm Nauiltius models won’t be found lower than a whopping $80,000 with the Ladies 37mm models not dropping below $38,000.
If you love the way the Nautilus looks, but aren’t willing or able to spend that much cash, here are some Patek Nautilus alternatives to consider!
Patek Philippe Aquanaut
Following on from the sporty look and feel of the Nautilus, the Aquanaut, first released in 1997, caused a new wave of Patek Philippe fans to be born. With its young and modern octagon-shaped face, equipped with a durable ‘tropical’ strap, the Aquanaut brought a fresh feel to the classic stylings of Patek Philippe.
Made from a new composite material, the Aquanaut’s ultra-resistant strap repels the effects of saltwater and UV radiation as well as being water-resistant down to 120m. If you’re fancying taking a dip in the ocean but want to ensure your wrist is looking fantastic, the Aquanaut may be the watch for you!
If you’d like to grab your very own Aquanaut, a model similar to the one above can be picked up brand new on Patek Philippe’s website for around $21,900. Similar to the Nautilius, there isn’t a lot to go for in the pre-owned market if you want to save money. While a small number of ladies models sit below $20,000, expect to pay $28,000+ for a range of pre-owned Aquanaut models.
Patek Philippe Complications
The Complications range again has evolved and changed with the Patek Philippe brand since its conception in the 1800s. Patek Philippe was one of the first brands to incorporate the perpetual calendar into their watches as well as the later addition of stunning moon-phase dial designs.
Given the complexities of incorporating these functions into a watch, the collection was amply named ‘Complications’ and remains an integral part of the Patek Philippe range right up to the present day.
With the sheer length of time the Complications range has been on the market, there is a range of different variations to suit any taste. Patek Philippe’s current range incorporates a variety of Yellow, Pink, Rose, and White Gold models with a Platinum piece for those looking for something extra special.
Brand new, Complications models start at around $25,000 on retail. There’s such a wide range of different complications models that the brand new costs vary massively depending on your tastes.
For those on a smaller budget, there are a lot of pre-owned models on the market. Again it all depends on which style takes your fancy but common deals can be found around $18,000.
For those of you looking for something a little extra still, Patek Philippe has extended the Complications range to include even more complex pieces under their new ‘Grand Complications’ range. We have a number of Grand Complications pieces in stock at Watch & Bullion, check them out here.
To Wrap Up….
Patek Philippe’s position at the top table of Swiss watchmaking is assured with many of their watches standing the test of time, being both commercially successful and critically acclaimed for much of the watchmaker’s 150 years in business.
In 2022, the costs of Patek Philippe watches continue to rise as production continues to be slow following COVID-19. While it largely limits or inflates the pre-owned market, there are some limited deals on very particular pre-owned models and as always, the older you go, the cheaper the prices.
If you’ve got the cash, whether you’re looking for a piece for those special occasions or to accompany your active lifestyle, Patek Philippe not only has something for you but will ensure you’re always looking like royalty at the same time!
If you fancy getting your hands on a Patek Philippe, check out what we have in store currently at Watch & Bullion.