Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1912/1929
    Movement No: 175'601
    Case No: 608'830
    Model Name: Gondolo
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'', 18 jewels
    Dimensions: 40mm Length and 29mm Width
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by photocopy of Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1912 and its subsequent sale on November 7, 1928. The Extract further mentioned that the original case was replaced by the case bearing the number 608.830 during a servicing in Patek Philippe's workshops in 1929.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Gondolo & Labouriau was Patek Philippe’s sole authorized retailer in Rio de Janiero between the 1870s to the late 1920s, greatly raising the awareness of the Brazilian market about Patek Philippe. 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. This high grade movements would then be equipped on a large variety of sizes and case shapes.

    Designed with a hinged case and gentle curvature, this 48mm watch (including lugs) was among the largest, and today retains an impressive and contemporary feel. Most spectacular is the size of the hour hand. While most spade-shaped hour hands end with a fine tip, this one displays an oversized tip that gives the watch an even bolder look. This well preserved “Chronometro Gondolo” wristwatch is a true trophy watch for demanding collectors.

    In 2016, Phillips had the privilege of auctioning a similarly exceptional oversized pink gold Gondolo that, at the time we believed to be a possibly unique piece. That watch had a movement made in 1912 and cased in 1928. To our upmost surprise and enchantment, the present watch's case and movement numbers are just a few digits apart from the Gondolo that we auctioned in 2016. Thanks to Patek Philippe Archives Department we were able to unearth a common origin story for both watches. Both have movements that were made between 1912 and 1913 and cased between 1928 and 1929.

  • 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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239

An extremely rare pink gold oversized rectangular hinged wristwatch with Breguet numerals, retailed by Gondolo & Labouriau

1912/1929
40mm Length and 29mm Width
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 
€68,800-138,000
$74,300-149,000

Sold for CHF189,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022