Patek Philippe: Honorary President Philippe Stern Has Passed Away
Patek Philippe mourns the loss of its Honorary President, Philippe Stern. He passed away on June 14, 2026, at the age of 87. Stern shaped the Geneva-based manufacturer for decades and is regarded as one of the key architects of its rise to become one of the leading independent brands in haute horlogerie.
Patek Philippe honors him as a pioneer and visionary who always rose to the challenge and left a lasting mark on the history of the family-run manufacture: “He preserved its independence and cemented its global reputation. As an outstanding entrepreneur, astute businessman, connoisseur of beauty, cultured and dynamic individual, and passionate sailor and skier, he was one of the most significant figures in the watch industry.”
In honor of Philippe Stern’s 85th birthday, Patek Philippe developed a new striking watch with a minute repeater and an audible alarm in 2023. Limited to 30 pieces, the “Grandmaster Chime” is equipped with the new in-house caliber R AL 27 PS, which has not been used since then. The 41-millimeter platinum “Officer’s” case houses a gold dial with black Grand Feu enamel. It features a gray-and-white portrait of Philippe Stern rendered in miniature painting.
Philippe Stern: A Life Dedicated to Haute Horlogerie
Philippe Stern was the grandson of Charles Stern, who, together with his brother Jean, owned Cadrans Stern Frères. The company supplied Patek Philippe with dials until the brothers took over the manufacture in 1932. They entrusted watchmaker Jean Pfister with the management of the company and integrated the production of their own movements into the manufacturing process.
Charles’ son Henri joined Patek Philippe as commercial director in 1935 and moved to New York a few years later. There, in 1945, he founded the Henri Stern Watch Agency (HSWA), the exclusive distributor of Patek Philippe watches in the United States. After returning to Geneva in 1958, he assumed the chairmanship of the Board of Directors.
In 1963, Philippe Stern finally joined the Henri Stern Watch Agency (HSWA), but returned to Geneva just three years later, where he worked alongside his father and was appointed general manager in 1977. In 1993, he ultimately assumed the presidency of Patek Philippe. At that time, production was spread across various locations. Philippe Stern centralized all operations in a new manufacturing facility, which was inaugurated in 1996.
After collecting timepieces for over four decades, he founded the Patek Philippe Museum in 2001. In 2006, he inaugurated the completely renovated Geneva Salon. Three years later, he spearheaded the introduction of the prestigious Patek Philippe Seal.
Philippe’s son, Thierry Stern, joined the company in 1990. After years of training at Patek Philippe and HSWA, he became vice president of the manufacture in 2003 and assumed the presidency in 2009—a position he still holds today. In 2012, he launched the “Watch Art Grand Exhibition”; in 2014, he celebrated the company’s 175th anniversary with the launch of the extraordinary “Grandmaster Chime”; and in 2020, he inaugurated the new PP6 Manufacture.
