Less than two years ago was the 180th anniversary of the founding of one of the most renowned and exclusive watchmaking companies in the world, whose founder was Antoni Patek. The name, at least from the sound of it, does not evoke any associations related to Poland and Poles, which is why today's customer treats the Patek brand as a Swiss "brand". Who was the founder of the watchmaking empire that has been operating in the world from 1839 to the present day?

Antoni Patek - where did the creator of the famous Swiss watches come from?
The data on Antoni Norbert Patek's pedigree and family are not clear, at least as far as his origins are concerned. One thing is certain, however - Antoni Patek was born in Piaski Szlacheckie near Lublin on the memorable - if one is to believe the reading of Mickiewicz's Pan Tadeusz - year 1812, exactly on 14 June "in the year of war, the year of harvest". As a young man, Antoni Patek enlisted in 1828 in the 1st Augustów Cavalry Rifle Regiment stationed in Warsaw. Serving professionally in the army, he lived to see the outbreak of the November Rising; he was quickly promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. Twice wounded, Antoni Patek was awarded the Gold Cross of the Order of Virtuti Militari.

After the defeat of the uprising, the nineteen-year-old officer shared the fate of the Polish army of several thousand men, which was trying to reach France via Saxony. Another unknown in Patek's biography is the news that he was to supervise the crossing of Polish exiles from Germany to France on the orders of General Józef Bem. He then tried to make a life for himself in the French countryside. He settled first in Bourges, then in Cahors and finally in Amiens, where he worked for two years as a typesetter. France, however, was not written to Patek as a place of permanent residence.

Antoni Patek - history of Swiss watches by a Polish entrepreneur
As a result of political turmoil (Russia forcing the French government not to allow Polish emigrants to settle in France), Antoni Patek moved to Switzerland, settling in Geneva. Here he began private painting lessons with the then well-known landscape painter Alexander Calame. Wanting to study and make a living in Geneva, which was not the cheapest city, the former second lieutenant of the Polish army took up the trade in wine and other spirits. But this kind of income apparently did not quite suit him.

Patek's ambitions began to mature when he came into contact with the community of Swiss watchmakers. He watched their work very closely. From these observations, he became convinced that he would never be a professional watchmaker, but that he could take up the embellishment of an already finished mechanism. He started by buying watch envelopes, which he then decorated with unique engravings. Seeing that the business was generating a good income and - most importantly - there was a demand for it, he invested the money he earned by commissioning renowned miniaturists, engravers and enamelists to decorate mechanisms and watch envelopes.

Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek - watches from "Patek, Czapek & Cie "
This is how the company was founded, which in 1839. Patek founded with another Pole of Czech origin, František Czapek. Originally, the manufactory was called: 'Patek, Czapek & Cie' and was located in one of the most expensive places in Geneva, at Quai General Guisan. To his partner, Patek owed his acquaintance with the Geneva watchmaker Moreau, who in turn introduced him to his cousin, future wife and mother of three children. The dynamic growth of the firm led the partners to employ two more watchmakers, emigrants from Poland: Władysław Bandurski and Wincenty Gostkowski.

At first, the clientele consisted of Polish emigrants, who usually chose religious and patriotic ornaments for their watches. Each time, the watch was a miniature and unique work of art, and therefore expensive, but those ordering from 'Patek, Czapek & Cie' were not among the poorest.

Patek-Philippe - watches by famous masters
After six years, Patek and Czapek ended their cooperation. François Czapek resigned from the partnership and was replaced by Adrien Philippe, a French watchmaker and designer, the creator of a new tension mechanism with a crown, replacing the traditional key. The new partners met in 1844 at the Exhibition of French Industrial Production in Paris. In 1851, the company, under the name 'Patek, Philippe & Cie', began producing elegant and luxurious pocket and wristwatches.

Antoni Patek - watchmaker to Queen Victoria, Albert Einstein and Elton John
Antoni Patek nurtured the company's business contacts through numerous trips (to England, the United States or Russia). The fame and prestige accompanying the company increased immeasurably from the time of the London World's Fair (1851), at which an elaborate watch in the shape of a brooch with a chain was purchased for Queen Victoria. From then on, the European royal courts had no choice but to measure their own and their subjects' time with watches made by the "Patek, Philippe & Cie" company.

Owners of Patek watches included popes, monarchs, politicians, artists and scientists. They included Tsar Nicholas II, Joseph Stalin, Albert Einstein, Maria Skłodowska-Curie, Richard Wagner, Pablo Picasso, Elton John, among others. To date, the most expensive watch by the "Patek, Philippe & Cie" company was valued at $24 million, ordered by banker Henry Graves

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Antoni Patek - activist of the Great Emigration
Antoni Patek knew how to share his fortune and never forgot his Polish emigration comrades in distress. He provided material support to the independence movement during the period of the Spring of Nations, and to refugees from the country after the defeat of the January Uprising. He was one of the co-founders of the Polish Reading Room and Library in Geneva. He was also an active member of the Polish Democratic Society and the Society for the National Education of Children of Polish Refugees. He sympathised with the Resurrectionist priests. In recognition of his work for the Catholic community of Geneva, he was awarded the title of Count by Pope Pius IX.

Tombstone of Antoni Norbert Patek in Geneva
Antoni Patek died in Geneva, on 1 March 1877. He was laid to rest in the Châtelaine cemetery, Geneva's second oldest (founded in 1854) necropolis on the right bank of the Rhône.

Created at the end of the 19th century, Antoni Patek's monumental (dimensions: H 345 cm, W 130 cm, L 275 cm) tombstone has the form of an ornate, multi-stepped column shaft (cippus) set on a horizontal rectangular stone slab. The upper part of the column is surmounted by a cross, below which there is carved floral decoration. The vertical main inscription panel is decorated with carved acanthus leaves. Forged in stone, the concise Latin inscription contains the name, surname (and count title) of the deceased and the dates of his life. The lower part contains inscriptions for two other family members. The gravestone was made of clay limestone. The grave is surrounded by a fence with inset 4 posts once connected by an iron chain.

Conservation of Antoni Patek's grave in the Châtelaine cemetery
On the 180th anniversary of "Patek, Czapek & Cie", with funds from the Programme of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage "Sites of National Remembrance Abroad", the "Silva Rerum Polonarum" Foundation carried out the conservation and restoration of the tombstone of Antoni Patek in the Châtelaine cemetery.