Antoni Patek - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Antoni Norbert Patek (June 14, 1811 – March 1, 1877), is a Polish

Poland

Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...

pioneer in watchmaking and a creator of Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe & Co. is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer located in Geneva and the Vallée de Joux.-History:Polish watchmaker Antoni Patek started making pocket watches in 1839 in Geneva, along with his fellow Polish migrant Franciszek Czapek. They separated in 1844, and in 1845 Patek joined with...

one of the most famous watchmaker

Watchmaker

A watchmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs watches. Since virtually all watches are now factory made, most modern watchmakers solely repair watches. However, originally they were master craftsmen who built watches, including all their parts, by hand...

companies.

Early life

Antoni Patek was born in 1811 (according to some sources 1812) in Piaski Luterskie

Piaski

Piaski , formerly Piaski Luterskie, is a town in Poland at the Giełczew river. The town's population is about 2,660 . Administratively it belongs to Powiat of Świdnik of the Lublin Voivodeship. It lies 16 km Southeast of Świdnik.- History :...

near Lublin

Lublin

Lublin is the ninth largest city in Poland. It is the capital of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 350,392 . Lublin is also the largest Polish city east of the Vistula river...

, Poland

Poland

to Anna née Piasecka and Joachim Patek of Prawdzic coat of arms

Prawdzic coat of arms

Prawdzic - is a Polish Coat of Arms. It was used by the nobility clans and later szlachta families in the times of the Kingdom of Poland and Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.-History:-Notable bearers:...

. http://www.zegarkiclub.pl/?dir=historia/osoby/06

At the age of 10, Patek moved with his parents to Warsaw

Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...

. Patek's father died on April 7, 1828 in Warsaw.http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/941/

On March 1, 1828, 16 year old Patek joined the Polish 1st Mounted Rifles Regiment. He fought in the November Uprising

November Uprising

The November Uprising , Polish–Russian War 1830–31 also known as the Cadet Revolution, was an armed rebellion in the heartland of partitioned Poland against the Russian Empire. The uprising began on 29 November 1830 in Warsaw when the young Polish officers from the local Army of the Congress...

during which he was wounded twice. On February 27, 1831 for his heroic attitude Patek was promoted the second lieutenant of the "1st August" brigade, and on October 3 of the same year decorated with Virtuti Militari

Virtuti Militari

The Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war...

Golden Cross. After the downfall of the uprising – like many other officers and soldiers of Polish Army – he had to emigrate.http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/941/

In 1832 he was engaged by general Józef Bem

Józef Bem

Józef Zachariasz Bem was a Polish general, an Ottoman Pasha and a national hero of Poland and Hungary, and a figure intertwined with other European nationalisms...

in organising an evacuation route for Polish

Poland

insurgents through Prussia

Prussia

Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...

to France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

. He was charged with a command over a staging point in Bamberg

Bamberg

Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz, close to its confluence with the river Main. Bamberg is one of the few cities in Germany that was not destroyed by World War II bombings because of a nearby Artillery Factory that prevented planes from...

near Munich

Munich

Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...

(one of five staging points on the insurgents' evacuation route). After terminating the evacuation, Patek settled in France

France

, firstly in Cahors

Cahors

Cahors is the capital of the Lot department in south-western France.Its site is dramatic being contained on three sides within an udder shaped twist in the river Lot known as a 'presqu'île' or peninsula...

, then in Amiens where he worked as a type-setter.http://www.zegarkiclub.pl/?dir=historia/osoby/06

Two years later an unfavourable decree issued by the French

France

government under pressure from the Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

n embassy, forced many former insurgents to resettle in Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

. Patek tried his hand at many trades, including trading with liquors and wines in Versoix

Versoix

Versoix is a municipality in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland, which sits on the right bank of Lac Léman. It is the last town of the Canton of Geneva on the road northeast towards Lausanne, before the Canton of Vaud starts. It is a train stop on the SBB-CFF-FFS railway line running between...

near Geneva

Geneva

Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...

. For some time Patek attended painting courses given by the famous Swiss painter and engraver Alexandre Calame

Alexandre Calame

Alexandre Calame was a Swiss painter.He was born in Arabie! at the time belonging to Corsier-sur-Vevey, today a part of Vevey. He was the son of a skillful marble worker in Vevey, but because his father lost the family fortune, Calame could not concentrate on art, but rather he was forced to...

. During his studies, Patek also traveled to Paris

Paris

Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...

where he remained for several months. Around this time, he was befriended by the Moreau

Moreau

-People:*Basil Anthony Marie Moreau , French priest*Charles Paul Narcisse Moreau French soldier and mathematician .*Christophe Moreau , French cyclist*Daniel Moreau Barringer , American politician...

family of Versoix

Versoix

who he became friends with, and at whose home he would meet his future wife. They probably encouraged him in a new activity – the trade in expensive pocket watches, which were decorated by the goldsmiths, engravers, enamellers and miniaturists of the time. He thus started by buying movements of watches which he got to the Geneva watchmakers already known for the quality of their products and, under his direction, made them furnish with cases. From the very start, he attached highest importance to the quality and the artistic value of work and rather quickly managed to find the market where such creations of exceptional quality were highly appreciated.http://www.zegarkiclub.pl/?dir=historia/osoby/06 http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/941/

On July 10, 1839 in Versoix

Versoix

, Patek married Marie Adélaïde Elisabeth Thomasine Dénizart, a daughter of a French tradesman Louis Charles Dénizart from Turin, and of his wife Marie Jeanne Adélaïde Elisabeth, née Devimes. Antoni and Marie de Patek had three children. The first one, Boleslas Joseph Alexandre Thomas, born on June 16, 1841, died on September 18 of the same year. The two others were born much later, when Marie de Patek already was respectively 39 and 41 year old: a son, Leon Mecyslas Vincent, July 19, 1857 and one girl, Marie Edwige, October 23, 1859.http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/941/

Patek, Czapek & Co. (1839–1845)

On May 1, 1839 in Geneva

Geneva

, Antoni Patek together with another Polish

Poland

immigrant, the gifted Warsaw

Warsaw

watchmaker

Watchmaker

Franciszek Czapek

Franciszek Czapek was a watchmaker, the partner of Antoni Patek in Patek, Czapek & Co....

established their manufacture producing watch

Watch

A watch is a small timepiece, typically worn either on the wrist or attached on a chain and carried in a pocket, with wristwatches being the most common type of watch used today. They evolved in the 17th century from spring powered clocks, which appeared in the 15th century. The first watches were...

es. The company was financially supported also by its first workers, among others Polish

Poland

watchmakers: Wawrzyniec Gostkowski, Wincenty Gostkowski

Wincenty Gostkowski

Wincenty Gostkowski was a lawyer and associate of Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe in the watchmaker Patek Philippe & Co. in Geneva, Switzerland.Gostkowski was born in Grzymki, Poland...

, and Władysław Bandurski. The first pocket watches were produced on individual orders. Primarily the young’s firm artistic production reflected themes from Polish history and culture, such as portraits of revolutionary heroes, 10th and 12th centuries’ legends, and the cult of the Polish The Black Madonna of Częstochowa.http://www.patekmuseum.com/pop/popTheme.asp?themeID=1&floorID=First http://www.zegarkiclub.pl/?dir=historia/osoby/06 http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/941/

The small company Patek, Czapek & Co, which employed a half-dozen of workmen, produced approximately two hundred watches of quality per annum. The few preserved specimens make it possible to note the degree of perfection of these first watches, result of a successful union between artistic research and the technical skill.http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/942/

Among the collection of The Patek Philippe Museum there are watches presenting Coat of Arms of Princess Zubów (see picture http://www.patekmuseum.com/EN/theWatch.asp?id=1&from=tl&year=1845) from 1845 and the portraits of Polish general Tadeusz Kościuszko

Tadeusz Kosciuszko

Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko was a Polish–Lithuanian and American general and military leader during the Kościuszko Uprising. He is a national hero of Poland, Lithuania, the United States and Belarus...

, and Polish prince and marchal of France Józef Poniatowski (see picture http://www.patekmuseum.com/EN/theWatch.asp?id=4&themeId=1&floorId=First) from 1948.

Patek & Co. (1845–1851)

Increasing disagreement between Patek and Czapek obliged the latter to withdraw. In 1851 Czapek established Czapek & Co. where he produced watches until 1869. On May 15, 1845 the place vacanted by Czapek was filled by 30 year old French

France

Adrien Philippe

Jean Adrien Philippe was French horologist and cofounder of watchmaker Patek Philippe & Co. of Geneva, Switzerland.In 1842 Adrien Philippe invented a mechanism for watches which allowed them to be wound and set by means of crown rather than a key. His patented invention earned him a Gold Medal at...

, who in 1842 invented the key-less winding mechanism.http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/943/http://www.patekmuseum.com/pop/popTheme.asp?themeID=1&floorID=First http://www.zegarkiclub.pl/?dir=historia/osoby/06 http://www.mt.com.pl/num/4_99/patek.htm

Patek Philippe & Co.

On January 1, 1851 Patek & Co. transformed into Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe & Co.

. The company started mass production of pocket watches.http://www.zegarkiclub.pl/?dir=historia/osoby/06 http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/943/

Both co-owners recognised perfection as their ideal, and the company gained its success thanks to principles that Antoni Patek left to his descendants:

the quality of produced watches maintained on the highest possible level,
the ability of implementing new inventions and constructive solutions.http://www.zegarkiclub.pl/?dir=historia/osoby/06

"Queen Victoria" (see picture http://www.patekmuseum.com/EN/theWatch.asp?id=7&themeId=2&floorId=First) open-face keyless-winding watch was presented to Queen Victoria

Victoria of the United Kingdom

Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....

of the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

during the Great Exhibition of London at Hyde Park

Hyde Park, London

Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...

(Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. More than 14,000 exhibitors from around the world gathered in the Palace's of exhibition space to display examples of the latest technology developed in...

), on August 18, 1851.http://www.patekmuseum.com/pop/popWatch.asp?ID=7&themeId=2&floorId=First

In 1868, Patek Philippe made their first wristwatch, which was sold on November 13, 1876 to the Hungarian

Hungary

Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...

Countess KOSCOWICZ.http://www.patekmuseum.com/pop/popWatch.asp?ID=41&themeId=7&floorId=First They have also pioneered in perpetual calendar, chronograph and minute repeater in watches.http://www.patek.com/CommonForm.aspx?uc=Values/PatentDescription

Looking for trade contacts Patek travelled among others to England (1847), USA (1854), and Russia (1858).http://www.zegarkiclub.pl/?dir=historia/osoby/06

After Patek’s death the company changed its owners several times; since 1929 Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe & Co.

is owned by Stern family, but kept its original name. Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe & Co.

issues collectible watches every year, and till today has remained a coveted luxury brand. Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe & Co.

is the only Geneva

Geneva

watch manufacturer honoured with the Geneva seal

Geneva seal

The Geneva Seal , Poinçon de Genève , or Genfer Siegel is the official seal of the City and Canton of Geneva, Switzerland...

. Of all the movements bearing the Geneva Seal distinction, 95% are Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe & Co.

timepieces. The company does not cease in its efforts to innovate its products. Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe & Co.

has been awarded more than 70 patent

Patent

A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....

s, since implementing in 1845 the stem winding system. The 20 most expensive wristwatches sold at auction are all from Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe & Co.

The “Henry Graves” supercomplication pocket watch from 1933 holds the world record for the most expensive watch – sold at auction in 1999 for more than $11 million.http://www.patek.com/Press/facts_timepieces.htm

The Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref 5002 is currently the world most complex complication timepiece. At present only 3 pieces are produced a year. Owners of these watches are selected by Patek Co as they are highly sought after. They are sold primary to collectors rather than traders so as to avoid the flipping of watches for profits.

Patek's political life

In 1843, Patek was naturalized in Geneva

Geneva

and thus acquired Swiss nationality. However, he did not cease his political activity of a Polish

Poland

emigrant and did not stop in his efforts to bring his assistance to the refugees. Thus, in 1838, he supported the initiative of a group of Polish

Poland

emigrants for the establishment of “Polish Foundation”, organization of mutual aid which was founded the following year and of which he became the treasurer and one of the most active members. In May 1844, he took part in the installation of a Polish Library with a salon of lecture in Geneva

Geneva

. Persuaded of the need for a centralization of the organizations of Polish

Poland

emigrants, he recommended to the Poles residing in Geneva

Geneva

to collaborate with the commission of the “Funds of Polish Emigration” and the "Polish Library" of Paris. In the years 1843, 1845 and 1847 he requested the support of prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski

Adam Jerzy Czartoryski

Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski was a Polish-Lithuanian noble, statesman and author. He was the son of Prince Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski and Izabela Fleming....

for this Society. On May 18, 1846, Patek adhered to the Polish Democratic Society

Polish Democratic Society

Polish Democratic Society was one of the most important organizations of Polish Great Emigration in 19th century France. Formed in 1832 from a faction of the Polish National Committee and led by Tadeusz Krępowiecki and Aleksander Pułaski, it argued for the need of drastic reforms in reconstituted...

of Lyon

Lyon

Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....

and, during the Spring of Nations in 1848, he went secretly to Frankfurt am Main to propose there, at the time of the meeting on March 6 of Dozór Polski, the convocation of the Polish Parliament in exile.http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/941/

The political activities of Patek during the January Uprising

January Uprising

The January Uprising was an uprising in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth against the Russian Empire...

in 1863 were described by Julian Aleksander Bałaszwicz, writing under the pseudonym of Albert Potocki. After the crushing of the insurrection, Patek brought his assistance to the refugees arriving to Geneva

Geneva

and maintained the relations with the Congregation of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, (Polish: Zmartwychwstańcy), in Paris

Paris

Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...

. Thereafter, the pope

Pope

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...

Pius IX conferred on Patek the title of count

Count

A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...

, in recognition of the services rendered as well as an active Catholic

Catholic

The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...

, as within the community of the Polish emigrants. Unfortunately, the files of the Vatican

Roman Curia

The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...

do not preserve documents providing information about the date and the nature of this distinction.http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/941/http://www.zegarkiclub.pl/?dir=historia/osoby/06

Antoni Patek died in Geneva

Geneva

and was buried in a local cemetery in Chatelaine

Chatelaine

Châtelaine has the following meanings:*Châtelaine, a woman who owns or controls a large house ....

.http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/941/

External links

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