Patek Philippe - Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers Geneva Friday, November 8, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1913
    Movement No: 180'720
    Case No: 289'513
    Model Name: Gondolo
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'', 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold PPCo buckle
    Dimensions: 50mm (lug to lug), 30mm wide
    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 present watch in 1913 and its subsequent sale on July 14th, 1925 and a charm pendent
    Literature: The present watch is illustrated in "La Voce di Hora" N°1 December 1995 page 56

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s original “Chronometro Gondolo” watches, like the present example, were made between 1902 and 1930 for the Brazilian retailer, Gondolo & Labouriau. Each was originally sold to members of their exclusive club, the “Gondolo Gang”. Consisting of Brazilian high-society, each member was required to buy one watch. Clients would pay 10 francs per week until the watch was fully paid for, however Gondolo Labouriau held weekly draws so that the first week’s winner received his watch for free, while the second week’s winner had paid a minimal sum and so on until the 79th week’s winner, at this point remaining members were required to pay the full retail price. This clever system not only helped sell watches but allowed their private club members to gamble - which was illegal at the time - but not enforceable for private organizations.

    Designed with a large hinged case and gentle curvature, this extraordinary watch is a lovely reflection of a bygone era. The movement was manufactured according to the highest grade specifications provided by the retailer, including a cam wheel regulator, allowing for precise but practical adjustments to the watch, a "moustache"-shaped lever, wolf's tooth winding gears, and gold wheels for the wheel train. Produced in several sizes, the 50mm watch (including lugs) was the largest, and today retains an impressive and contemporary feel.

    The present watch with its large Art Deco numerals is part of a series of watches made in 1913 and sold to Gondolo between 1922 and 1924. Only seven watches within this series are known, two of which are now showcased in the Patek Philippe museum.

    Fresh to the market, the present watch is in impressive condition considering its age and will delight the gentleman collector with an astute eye for rarity and elegance.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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An impressive oversized yellow gold wristwatch with "exploding" numerals

1913
50mm (lug to lug), 30mm wide
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed, dial further signed Chronometro Gondolo

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 160,000 
€73,700-147,000
$80,600-161,000

Sold for CHF87,500

Contact Specialist
Virginie Liatard-Roessli
Specialist, Head of Sale
+41 76 338 91 03
vliatard@phillips.com

Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers

Geneva Auction 9 November 2019