Patek Philippe began as a pocket watch maker in Geneva in 1839 and still makes pocket watches today: a small family of hand-wound Lépine open-face references such as the 973J, 980J, 980G, 980R and the hand-engraved 983J, all built around the 17-ligne LEP PS calibre. The larger market is vintage: Patek pocket watches from the 1840s to the 1950s range from plain gold time-only pieces, which are the least expensive way to own a Patek, to enamelled, chronograph, repeating and perpetual calendar pieces and the named commissions for Henry Graves Jr and James Ward Packard that set world records. This guide explains what Patek makes now, how to read a vintage pocket watch, what drives value, how the extract from the archives works for pocket watches, and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources Patek Philippe pocket watches to order; the Patek Philippe collection lists the references we can seek.
Last reviewed on September 21, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.
Which pocket watches does Patek Philippe still make?
| Reference | Case | Movement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 973J-010 | 44 mm yellow gold Lépine, ivory dial | Calibre 17''' LEP PS, hand-wound, small seconds | The smallest and plainest current pocket watch |
| 972/1J-010 | 44 mm yellow gold Lépine | Calibre 17''' LEP PS | Supplied with a chain |
| 980J-011 | 48 mm yellow gold Lépine, ivory dial | Calibre 17''' LEP PS | The classic size; also in white gold (980G-010) and rose gold (980R-001) |
| 983J-001 | 48 mm yellow gold Lépine with hand-engraved case | Calibre 17''' LEP PS | Guilloché and engraved decoration; each case is finished by hand |
Patek also makes hunter-cased and rare handcraft pocket watches with enamel, engraving or marquetry in very small numbers, shown each year at its Rare Handcrafts exhibitions and sold by application. The Patek Philippe collection index lists the current pocket watch references alongside the wristwatch families. New pocket watches are ordered through an authorised retailer with a waiting time that depends on the reference; they are not stocked.
What is the difference between a Lépine and a hunter case?
A Lépine, or open-face, pocket watch has no cover over the dial, with the crown at 12 and the small seconds at 6 in line with it. A hunter (savonnette) has a hinged metal lid over the dial that opens with a push on the crown, with the crown at 3 and the small seconds at 6 at right angles to it. A half-hunter has a small glazed window in the lid. Patek's current production is almost entirely Lépine, and vintage Patek pocket watches from before 1930 are found in both, with hunters more common in the 19th century and open-face dominant after about 1900. The layout matters for identification: a movement designed for a Lépine case will not sit correctly in a hunter case, so a mismatch is a sign of a recased watch.
A short history of Patek Philippe pocket watches
- 1839 to 1845. Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek found Patek, Czapek & Cie in Geneva, making pocket watches for Polish and French clients. Jean Adrien Philippe joins in 1845 with his keyless winding and setting mechanism, which removes the need for a separate key.
- 1851. Queen Victoria buys a keyless pendant watch at the Great Exhibition in London, the start of Patek's royal and aristocratic clientele and the origin of the company's fame outside Switzerland.
- 1860s to 1910s. Complicated pocket watches: minute repeaters, split-seconds chronographs, perpetual calendars and, in 1902, the first grande and petite sonnerie wristwatch movement patents. The finest pieces are enamelled or engraved on the case.
- 1916 to 1933. The American collector era. James Ward Packard and Henry Graves Jr commission ever more complicated pocket watches, ending with the Graves Supercomplication of 1933, a 24-complication watch that took years to design and build.
- 1989. For its 150th anniversary Patek unveils the Calibre 89, a 33-complication pocket watch made in four examples, one each in yellow, white and rose gold and platinum.
- 2000. The Star Caliber 2000, a 21-complication double-faced pocket watch with Westminster chimes, made in small series.
- 2014. The Graves Supercomplication sells at Sotheby's Geneva for about CHF 23.2 million, the most expensive pocket watch ever sold.
What makes a vintage Patek Philippe pocket watch valuable?
| Tier | Typical watch | Value drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Gold open-face time-only, 1900 to 1950, plain case, enamel or silvered dial | Condition, originality, an extract; the least expensive way to own a Patek |
| Middle | Chronographs, split-seconds, retailer-signed dials (Tiffany & Co., Gübelin, Beyer), decorated cases | Complication, signature, enamel or engraving, box and papers |
| Upper | Minute repeaters, perpetual calendars, grande sonneries, cloisonné enamel scenes | Complexity, condition of the striking work, artistry of the enamel, provenance |
| Record | Named commissions and unique pieces: Graves, Packard, Calibre 89 | History, uniqueness, the name on the case |
Within each tier the same things move the price: an untouched dial (enamel dials chip and crack; a hairline crack halves the value of a time-only piece), an unpolished case with crisp hallmarks and engraving, a movement with its original finish and no replaced parts, and an extract from the archives that confirms the configuration. Provenance, meaning a documented first owner or a retailer signature, adds on top. Metal matters less than on wristwatches: most Patek pocket watches are yellow gold, and platinum or steel examples are rare enough to command a premium on their own.
How much does a Patek Philippe pocket watch cost?
- New. Patek Philippe publishes list prices for the current 973J and 980 series on its product pages, and they sit in the same broad band as its gold dress wristwatches; the hand-engraved 983J and the rare handcraft pieces cost multiples of that. Ask an authorised retailer for the current figure and the waiting time.
- Vintage time-only. Plain gold Patek pocket watches from the first half of the 20th century are the least expensive Patek watches of any kind, and in 2026 a good example with an extract trades at a fraction of the price of a new Calatrava. That gap is why collectors call them the value entry to the brand.
- Vintage complicated. Chronographs and repeaters trade in the same bands as Patek's complicated wristwatches of the same era; enamelled and perpetual calendar pieces higher; named commissions at auction only. The Graves Supercomplication sale of about CHF 23.2 million at Sotheby's in November 2014 remains the ceiling.
- Bizak catalogue. Our catalogue lists new-production Patek pocket watches such as the 983J-001, sourced to order; because the current references are made in small numbers, we quote each one individually on request rather than publishing a standing ask.
Those descriptions are dated to 21 September 2026 and will move. Ask for a dated quote for the exact reference or, for a vintage watch, the movement number; our Patek Philippe price guide explains how to compare quotes across references.
How does the extract from the archives work for a pocket watch?
Every Patek pocket watch carries a movement number and a case number, and Patek Philippe holds production and sales records for both back to 1839. The extract from the archives states what that movement left the workshop as: calibre, case metal and number, dial type, complications and date of sale, and sometimes the retailer. For a pocket watch it is essential, because more than a century of servicing gives ample opportunity for dials, hands and cases to be swapped. Order the extract before paying, compare every line with the watch, and treat any difference as a question to be answered. Patek's own museum in Geneva holds the reference collection for the antique pieces and is worth a visit before buying at the upper end; the vintage Patek Philippe authentication guide lists the independent specialists who examine pocket watches.
Should you buy a Patek Philippe pocket watch to wear or to collect?
A modern 973J or 980 is a watch to use: it winds each morning, keeps time as well as a wristwatch, and sits in a waistcoat or jacket pocket on a chain. Most buyers of new Patek pocket watches are marking an occasion, a retirement or a wedding, and want the watch to pass down. A vintage pocket watch is a collector's object; it can be carried, but enamel dials and century-old cases do not forgive drops, and a repeater or chronograph should be exercised gently. If the aim is a Patek to wear every day, a wristwatch is the better tool; our Nautilus 5726 guide and Calatrava collection cover the wristwatch routes.
Buying a Patek Philippe pocket watch: what to check
- Extract from the archives. Ordered for any vintage piece and compared line by line with the watch: calibre, case number, dial, complications, sale date.
- Movement and case numbers. Both engraved, both matching the extract; a case number that does not appear in the records means a recased movement.
- Dial. Enamel free of hairlines and chips under a loupe; signatures correctly placed; a restored enamel dial disclosed and priced as such.
- Case. Crisp hallmarks, engraving and hinges; a hunter lid that snaps shut; no dents or thin spots from polishing.
- Movement. Original finish, unmarked screw heads, a correct balance; ask a specialist to check a repeater's gongs and a chronograph's heart pieces.
- Function. Winding smooth, hands setting without slip, a repeater striking the correct hours, quarters and minutes, a chronograph starting, stopping and resetting to zero.
- Papers and box. Original certificates and boxes survive rarely and add value; their absence is normal on a pocket watch and not a warning sign in itself.
- Price against the band. A complicated Patek pocket watch offered well under the market is the single most reliable warning sign.
Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch.
Quick answers
Does Patek Philippe still make pocket watches?
Yes. The current catalogue includes hand-wound Lépine open-face pocket watches such as the 973J-010 at 44 mm, the 980J-011, 980G-010 and 980R-001 at 48 mm, and the hand-engraved 983J-001, plus rare handcraft pieces sold by application.
How much is a Patek Philippe pocket watch worth?
It depends on era and complexity. Plain gold vintage time-only pieces are the least expensive Patek watches; chronographs, repeaters and enamelled pieces trade far higher; the Graves Supercomplication sold for about CHF 23.2 million in 2014. Order an extract and ask for a dated quote.
What is the most famous Patek Philippe pocket watch?
The Henry Graves Supercomplication of 1933, with 24 complications, made for the New York banker after his rivalry with James Ward Packard. It is the most expensive pocket watch ever sold.
How do I check if a Patek Philippe pocket watch is genuine?
Order an extract from the archives from Patek Philippe using the movement and case numbers, compare it with the watch, and have a specialist examine the dial, case and movement for replaced parts.
What is a Lépine pocket watch?
An open-face pocket watch with no lid, the crown at 12 and small seconds at 6. Patek's current pocket watches are Lépine; a hunter has a hinged lid and the crown at 3.
Request a Patek Philippe pocket watch sourcing quote
Tell us the reference or era, metal, complications, condition and whether an extract is required, plus your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, papers and final price before you commit. Catalogue entry: Lépine pocket watch 983J-001; browse the Patek Philippe collection, the Grand Complications collection, or sell or trade your Patek Philippe.
Related reading: Vintage Patek Philippe authentication guide · Patek Philippe price guide · Nautilus 5726 guide · How to sell a luxury watch.
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