Patek Philippe watches are synonymous with timeless elegance and precision craftsmanship. Whether you are a proud owner or considering a purchase, understanding your Patek Philippe watch’s serial and reference numbers can provide invaluable insights into its authenticity and history.
Each year, Patek Philippe will produce roughly 50,000 new timepieces.
To confirm the authenticity of a Patek Philippe watch, begin by checking its serial number, typically engraved on the case back. If the watch features a sapphire crystal case back or is see-through, you’ll find the serial number inside the case back. In the same location, you might also come across the reference number.
Ensuring the watch’s authenticity is crucial, as it guarantees that you have a genuine Patek Philippe timepiece rather than a counterfeit. Authentic Patek Philippe watches bear distinct hallmarks, specific serial numbers, and come with certificates of authenticity.
To spot a fake Patek Philippe watch, closely examine the dial and finer details using a loupe. Additionally, consider the watch’s weight; genuine Patek Philippe watches have a noticeable solid weight to them.
By confirming the authenticity of your Patek Philippe watch, you can be confident in owning a high-quality and valuable timepiece.
Before selling your pre-owned Patek Philippe watch, it’s crucial to have information about the movement number and case number at your disposal. If you possess the Certificate of Origin, this task becomes straightforward. However, if the certificate is unavailable, you’ll need to look inside the watch.
Much like the reference number, you can locate the Patek case number on the inner side of the solid caseback or within the metal ring of the sapphire caseback. Conversely, the movement number is engraved directly on the watch’s movement itself. If your watch features a solid caseback, it will require opening to access this number, but if it has a transparent caseback, you can identify it through the crystal.
Patek Philippe serial numbers serve as codes that reveal information about a watch’s model, collection, and production date. These serial numbers are typically engraved on the case back, movement, or the side of the case back for identification. The reference number, which consists of four digits, a slash, four more digits, and a letter, holds additional details.
The first digit of the reference number denotes the watch’s gender, and the second digit indicates the collection it belongs to. By referencing a specific table, one can determine the precise production date using the serial number.
All luxury watches, including those made by Patek Philippe, come with serial numbers. These serial numbers serve as unique identifiers and are typically located in various places on the watch, with different formats used by manufacturers. In recent times, some watchmakers have transitioned to using random serial numbers for increased privacy and secrecy, but in the past, sequential serial numbers were common.
Sequential serial numbers allowed both the manufacturer and owners to track the production volume and determine the approximate production date of a watch. However, moving to random serial numbers has given manufacturers more confidentiality.
Patek Philippe maintains meticulous records of its watches and their serial numbers, a practice dating back to 1839. Detailed information about your watch can be obtained by ordering an “Extract from our Archives” directly from Patek Philippe. This extract provides comprehensive historical data for Patek Philippe timepieces older than five years.
Please note that the provided list of Patek Philippe serial numbers is not exhaustive. Only Patek Philippe possesses detailed records regarding their serial and production numbers.
It’s essential to remember that having a serial number on your Patek Philippe timepiece does not automatically guarantee its authenticity. The production years mentioned above may or may not be entirely accurate but can offer a rough estimate of when your watch was made. For a more precise dating, you can also refer to the certificate paper, if available, which typically contains the date of sale and can provide a general indication of the watch’s age.
1840. Serial number: 100
1845. Serial number: 1120
1850. Serial number: 3740
1855. Serial number: 7825
1860. Serial number: 14,500
1865. Serial number: 22,800
1870. Serial number: 36,130
1875. Serial number: 47,610
1880. Serial number: 55,770
1885. Serial number: 72,640
1890. Serial number: 85,365
1895. Serial number: 101,230
1900. Serial number: 111,800
1905. Serial number: 124,475
1910. Serial number: 153,940
1815. Serial number: 174,240
1920. Serial number: 193,780
1925. Serial number: 202,195
1937. Serial number: 880,000
1940. Serial number: 880,958
1945. Serial number: 881,855
1950. Serial number: 882,335
1955. Serial number: 882,553
1960. Serial number: 882,621
1965. Serial number: 882,723
1969. Serial number: 893,310
1970s. Serial number: 1,250,000
1975. Serial number: 1,350,000
1980. Serial number: 1,450,000
1985. Serial number: 1,600,000
1990s. Serial number: 1,850,000
If you’re unsure of the year or authenticity of your Patek Philippe, you can always call on BQ Watches for a professional Patek Philippe appraisal.
If you’re looking to add a beautiful Patek Philippe to your collection, BQ Watches is the place to go. We have an incredible inventory of vintage and modern Patek Philippe timepieces for you to choose from. If you already have a Patek Philippe, but you can’t decipher the serial number, feel free to send it to us for an appraisal. Our team of experts can help you determine the approximate year of your watch.
If you’re not in the market for a Patek Philippe, we have an extensive inventory of pre-owned watches like Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philip, Bremont, IWC, Breitling, Omega, Tudor, Panerai, and many others. We also offer comprehensive sourcing services if you’re looking for something specific.
Once you know what luxury watch service you’re needing, simply fill out our contact form and let us know. A member of our team will reach out shortly to assist you.
