148 Patek Philippe Rare and Unusually, Gondolo, Large Rectangular Curved Chronometer Wristwatch in Gold, With Hinged Back, Black Arabic Numbers
Estimate: €30,000 – 60,000
Sold (Premium)€53,300
Model: Gondolo
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1917
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 12“'
Case N°: 290 213
Movement N°: 167 959
Dimensions: 29.5 × 46.5 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case
Accessories: Extract from the Archives
A superb example of the Art Deco modern style and prominent exponent of the roaring twenties, the Chronograph Gondolo is probably the best representative of the South American lifestyle and one of the nicest oversized watches ever produced by Patek Philippe. It has been realized at the beginning of the 1910s and early 1920s in an exceedingly small series. Since the Swiss-Polish brand has always tried to meet the needs of its customers and retailers, decided to satisfy the will of Gondolo who asked for a movement with certain technical specifications to be equipped with a large variety of sizes and shape cases. The result was a wristwatch that soon became one of the most coveted by collectors and significantly important for Patek Philippe’s history in the South American market. The captivating design of the present Chronometer is given by the hinged case and gentle curvature but most of all for its big sizes of 46.5 × 29.5 mm that make it nowadays, more than a century later, definitely contemporary and still source of inspiration for many other models. This specific watch is also extremely important not only for the nice oxidation which is spreading all over the 18k gold case, but mainly for the particular and rare configuration of the dial: it is in fact one of the only 4 known Gondolo with “straight” Arabic numbers instead of the renowned Breguet one. For its historical background, beauty and importance of this wristwatch is a true trophy watch.