Production has started on the film about the legendary Polish watchmaker

Production has started on the film about the legendary Polish watchmaker – Antoni Patek

18/04/2024
Bez kategorii, Culture

The production of a film telling the story of Antoni Patek, creator of the prestigious watch brand Patek Philippe SA, has begun in Poland.

On 1 May 1839, two Polish immigrants, Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek, united their talents in Geneva to establish Patek, Czapek & Cie. Initially, Patek’s focus was on encasing pre-made watch mechanisms in ornate casings, while Czapek brought his expertise as a seasoned watchmaker to the partnership. Together, they swiftly garnered acclaim for their watches’ precision mechanisms, particularly esteemed among fellow Polish immigrants and patriots.

In 1844, Patek encountered the French engineer Adrien Philippe, who introduced a groundbreaking winding mechanism featuring a crown, revolutionising watchmaking by eliminating the need for a winding key. This innovation propelled the company’s growth. By 1845, Czapek had departed, leaving Patek to continue operations under the revised name of Patek & Cie.

The year 1851 marked another significant milestone as Adrien Philippe officially joined the company, prompting yet another name change to Patek Philippe & Cie. The company’s acclaim soared at the 1851 World Exhibition in London, where it secured a prestigious gold medal. Queen Victoria herself adorned a Patek Philippe timepiece as a brooch, elevating the brand’s prestige. Subsequently, illustrious figures like Pope Pius IX and King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy became patrons of the esteemed watchmaker.

Patek Philippe’s enduring success can be attributed to its steadfast commitment to the exacting standards set by Antoni Patek. Following his passing in 1877, the company underwent reorganisation, with Antoine Benassy and Leon Patek, the founder’s son, assuming management roles. In 1901, the company adopted the name Ancienne Manufacture d’Horlogerie Patek Philippe & Cie, S.A., and in 1932, it was acquired by the brothers Karol and Jean Stern.

Patek Philippe’s store at Place de Vendôme in Paris

Today, Patek Philippe SA stands as a paragon of horological excellence on the global stage. In 2009, Thierry Stern, representing the fourth generation of the Stern family, assumed the mantle of company president, ensuring the perpetuation of this iconic brand’s legacy.