Brand comparisons usually run on opinion. This one runs on settled transactions: 5,871 recorded sales of Patek Philippe and 5,639 of Rolex, all in US dollars so the figures are directly comparable.
What each one actually costs
The median Patek Philippe result is $20,480. The median Rolex result is $11,550. On typical examples, Patek Philippe carries roughly 1.8 times the price of Rolex at auction.
Half of all Patek Philippe sales land between $8,320 and $56,250. For Rolex the middle half runs $4,680 to $27,500.
Which one surprises the specialists
46% of Patek Philippe lots beat their high estimate, against 47% for Rolex. The two are closely matched, which suggests both are priced with similar confidence.
Breadth of the record
Our archive covers 1,662 distinct Patek Philippe references and 758 for Rolex, with results going back to 2001 and 2001 respectively. The top recorded result is $5,202,000 for Patek Philippe and $1,803,400 for Rolex.
What this does not tell you
A median is not a verdict. These brands overlap heavily at the edges, and a well chosen example of the cheaper one will outrun a poor example of the dearer one. Condition, completeness and model matter more than the badge on the dial.
