Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1907
    Movement No: 146’550
    Case No: 250’605
    Model Name: Chonometro Gondolo
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 21”’, lever escapement, stamped “PAT” Jan 13 1891
    Dimensions: 56mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and cuvette signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Phillipe Certificate of Origin and fitted presentation box. Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the manufacture of the present timepiece in 1907 and its subsequent date of sale on 4th February 1908.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Recognised for creating some of the world’s most divine pocket watches, the Patek Philippe Chonometro Gondolo is certainly blessed with an interesting legacy. Named after an established retailer in Rio de Janerio, the collection was the consequence of a collaboration between Patek Phillippe and Gondolo & Labouriau, from 1872 to 1927. Primarily focusing on pocket watches only, the collection then expanded to include wristwatches in the 1920s to satisfy the rising demand for Swiss-made timepieces. Prior to the explosive popularity of the firm, their Brazilian partner established the “Gondolo Gang”, which was an ingenious marketing scheme that enticed a new market of gentlemen to each invest in a watch, or in other words, an asset. This was by no means an organised group of criminals but a community of like-minded enthusiasts with a common appreciation for haute horology.

    In 1902, Patek Philippe created this series of pocket watches with the inscription “Chronometro Gondolo” above the signature on the dial. Powered by the cal. 21”’, the movement is equipped with a specific request for gold gear trains with keyless winding, tailored for Brazil’s hot and humid conditions. Furthermore, the cuvette is engraved with the retailer’s signature.

    The present example is encased in pink gold, flaunting a crisp white enamel dial with small seconds. Tastefully executed both inside and out, the movement is hand-finished with the main bridge further engraved with the watchmaker’s initials and manufacture date, "PAT. 13 Jan 1891”. Beautifully preserved in excellent overall condition and further delivered with an Extract from the Archives, it is confirmed that the caseback inscription of “JAB.” is indeed original. These initials most likely belong to one of the members from the original Gondolo Gang, making this pocket watch essentially unique with its own untold story.

  • 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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855

A fine and well-preserved pink gold openface keyless lever pocket watch with small seconds, white enamel dial, Certificate of Origin and presentation box, retailed by Gondolo & Labouriau

1907
56mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and cuvette signed

Estimate
HK$90,000 - 120,000 
€10,700-14,300
$11,500-15,400

Sold for HK$144,900

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV

28 - 29 November 2022 (Online Registration ends 27 Nov, 2pm HKT)