The story of the Chronometro Gondolo is legendary within the horological world with the Rio de Janeiro retailer Gondolo & Labouriau representing Patek Philippe from 1872 until 1927. Their collaboration was a great success and Patek Philippe had a great amount of interest in their timepieces by Brazilian clients. With this close connection, Gondolo & Labouriau created a buyer’s club with lottery system where the retailer sold the Gondolo to members for a reasonable price, and with a Brazilian ban on gambling, members had gaming fun as well. Club members agreed to purchase a watch, and pay 10 Franc each week for 79 weeks until the watch had been paid. With a weekly drawing, the first week’s member received his watch for no cost, while the next week’s winner made only one payment. Over the following weeks the lotto continued and ensured each member received a watch, and in most cases paying a better price.

The present example is in excellent original condition and is complete with original numbered Patek Philippe presentation box and Certificate of Origin. The watch remains unpolished with a crisp hallmark to the bow, and the guilloché case back is relatively crisp with rubbing around the edges. The monograms read “BE” and is further reflected on the dial, where the signature reads “Benito Echenique Pelotas”. The dial often reflects the buyer’s name and monogram to the case back. The case cuvette is engraved with the traditional wording “Chronometro Gondolo, No. 148363, Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, Fabricado expressamente para Gondolo Labouriau Relojoeiros Rio de Janeiro”.