Lot 21

Watches made for Gondolo & Labouriau The Brazilian firm Gondolo & Labouriau was Patek Philippe's sole retailer in Rio de Janeiro as early as 1872. The enormous success of Patek Philippe watches among the firm's clients in Brazil lead to the production of timepieces especially for Gondolo & Laboriau, starting in 1902 with the registration of the trade name "Chronometro Gondolo" in Switzerland until the 1930s. During this collaboration lasting over a quarter century, the Brazilian retailer sold nearly a third of Patek Philippe's total production. To encourage the sale of "Chronometro Gondolo" watches, Gondolo & Labouriau introduced a lottery system for the members of its buyers' clubs, all passionate watch aficionados. For a modest sum, members would take part in a weekly lottery, with the chance to win a large size gold time only model. The lottery assured each participant to eventually acquire would "Chronometro Gondolo" for a very reasonable amount. "Chronometro Gondolo" pocket watches (see lots 21 and 22) were available in several sizes, mainly in openface pink gold cases, fewer in yellow gold, or silver and even more rarely, nielloed silver. Diameters ranged from 32 to 57 mm., movements from 10''' to 22''' (22.5 to approximately 50 mm.), with a variety of dials and hands. Certain examples were fitted with centre seconds or a chronograph mechanism (see lot 21). Watches bearing the celebrated designation "Chronometro Gondolo" featured a number of distinguished characteristics, including: -stem-wound movement, ratchet wheels of the mainspring barrel arbor with wolf tooth winding and a square indentation for the release of the barrel spring -9K gold wheel train -straight line "moustache" lever escapement with a bimetallic compensation balance and a Breguet balance spring -minimum of 18 jewels (18, 19, 20 or 21) -cam wheel or snail cam regulator, allowing for very precise but practical adjustment of the watch, an improvement of Jean Adrien Philippe's French Patent no. 142376 of 16 April 1881 "Chronometro Gondolo" watches were Patek Philippe's only timepieces made with gold wheels in the 20th century. Beginning in the 1920s, the firm introduced "Chronometro Gondolo" wristwatches, which were made in very small quantities and of amazingly avant-garde design. The watches were available in circular, square, rectangular, cushion and tonneau-shaped cases, of different sizes, the largest version boasting an impressive length of 40 mm. or 48 mm. including the lugs (see lot 27). Around 1924, Gondolo & Labouriau changed its name to Relojoaria Gondolo. Various examples of "Chronometro Gondolo" pocket and wristwatches are illustrated and described in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches - Volume II, pp. 120 - 139.

Patek Philippe. A fine, large and rare 18K pink gold openface keyless lever chronograph watch

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE & CIE, GENÈVE, CHRONOMETRO GONDOLO, FABRICADO EXPRESSAMENTE PARA GONDOLO & LABOURIAU, RELOJOEIROS, RIO DE JANEIRO, MOVEMENT NO. 125'058, CASE NO. 240'143, MANUFACTURED IN 1905

Details

Patek Philippe. A fine, large and rare 18K pink gold openface keyless lever chronograph watch
Signed Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, Chronometro Gondolo, Fabricado expressamente para Gondolo & Labouriau, Relojoeiros, Rio de Janeiro, movement no. 125'058, case no. 240'143, manufactured in 1905
Cal. 20''' gilt-finished jewelled moustache lever movement, bimetallic compensation balance, cam wheel regulator, gold wheels, wolf's tooth winding, hinged gold cuvette, white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer 60 seconds divisions, subsidiary seconds, circular case, engine-turned back with engraved initials AB, chronograph locking lever in the band, case, dial and movement signed by maker, cuvette signed by maker and retailer
57 mm. diam.

Brought to you by

John Reardon

jreardon@christies.com +1 212 636 2360

Lot Essay

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with enamel dial, Roman numerals and engraved initials AB to the case back in 1905 and its subsequent sale on 24 January 1906. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe period presentation box.

Fresh to the market, this is a fine and rare example of one of Patek Philippe's "Gondolo" watches featuring the additional complication of a chronograph mechanism. It is moreover preserved in very good, original overall condition.
According to our research, this is only the sixth watch with this dial layout made for Gondolo to appear on the market.
A similar example is illustrated in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches Volume II, p. 132.

More from Patek Philippe 175

View All