Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1912 Movement No: 175'558 Case No: 292'685 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'', 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 41.5mm Length, 30mm Width Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed, dial further signed Chronometro Gondolo Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the movement of this watch in 1912 and its subsequent sale on December 22, 1927, an original Patek Philippe box and an additional crystal. Literature: The present watch is illustrated in "La Voce di Hora" N°1 December 1995, page 56
Catalogue Essay
Gondolo & Labouriau was Patek Philippe’s sole authorized retailer in Rio de Janeiro until the 1930s. Having put in place an ingenious system to increase the sales and bypass the ban on gambling, the jeweler greatly increased Patek Philippe's awareness in the Brazilian market. Today, Patek Philippe’s Chronometro Gondolo wristwatches are some of the most coveted by collectors in virtue of their rarity, size and historical background. Production of these wristwatches started in 1910 with specific requests from the retailer concerning the movement. Gondolo & Labouriau requested the movement to feature a cam wheel regulator, allowing for precise and practical adjustments to the watch, a moustache-shaped lever, wolf's tooth winding gears, and gold wheels for the wheel train. These high grade movements would then be housed in a large variety of sizes and case shapes.
Designed with a hinged tonneau shaped case, this watch was extremely large for the era. According to Patek Philippe archives, we know that the movement of the present watch was made in 1912, but that the timepiece was only sold on December 22nd, 1927. Over a century after its production, this watch is now making its auction debut. Preserved in remarkable condition for a watch of this age, this timepiece may well become the trophy of the watch collection it will join.
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.