Philippe Stern, former president of Swiss luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe, passed away on June 28 at age 88. He was regarded as the guardian of modern watchmaking, and under his leadership Patek Philippe cemented its position as maker of the world’s most prestigious timepieces.

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According to the New York Times, Philippe Stern led Patek Philippe from 1993 until 2020, when he handed the reins to his son Thierry Stern. During his tenure, Patek Philippe not only consolidated its supreme position in haute horlogerie but also pushed sports luxury watches to unprecedented market heights through the Nautilus and Aquanaut collections.

The Stern family has controlled Patek Philippe since 1932, making it one of the few top watch brands that remains independently family-owned. Philippe Stern was known for his devotion to traditional craftsmanship and openness to innovative technology, often called “the last gentleman of watchmaking.”

Editor: GoodInfo Global News Team