Antoni Patek. Zegarmistrz królów. Śladami życia

Patek Philippe watches have been a symbol of luxury and watchmaking expertise ever since the middle of the eighteenth century. They were worn by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert among others; by Victor Emmanuel III, Pope Pius IX, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso. But the history of the company’s founder, Antoni Patek, a Pole of aristocratic blood, is little know and full of secrets, even though he lived in exceptionally turbulent times, when numerous armed conflicts waged throughout Europe, revolutions and uprisings, including the November Uprising, so important to the Poles. Many of the soldiers who had taken part in the November Uprising were forced to leave Poland and make their way towards Western Europe. Among these was Antoni Patek. His exile ended in Geneva, where he settled, started a family and opened the watchmaking company known to this day and which he soon turned into a factory. At the same time, he played an active role, both intellectually and materially, in the lives of Polish immigrants. He aided his compatriots financially, supporting, among others, the poet Adam Mickiewicz.

The first full biography of Antoni Patek, written by historian Beniamin Czapla, portrays a man who, thanks to his diligence, business acumen and courage for innovation achieved incredible success on the market within ten years, and won universal recognition. In 1850, his watches were already famous in the United States as well as South America. Numerous sources from that time (letters, documents and articles) discovered by the author in Polish archives and archives abroad, allow us to learn about the legendary watchmaker not only as an ingenious businessman but also as a caring husband and father, loyal friend and patriot, sensitive to the fate of his country and of his compatriots in enforced exile.