Lot Essay
The present lot, an incredibly rare Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo, is one of only a few known Officer’s style wristwatches created for the famous Brazilian retailer Gondolo & Labouriau.
Throughout the late 1870s to the early 1930s, Gondolo & Labouriau and Patek Philippe formed a powerful and successful relationship, much in part to a unique sales strategy. The retailer created a lottery system in which participants would pay ten Francs a week with 79 total payments to purchase a Patek Philippe timepiece. However, one lucky winner would be chosen every week and would immediately be awarded their watch, relieving them of any further payments.
These winners formed a continuously growing brotherhood, dubbed the “Gondolo Gang,” and held weekly lavish picnics for the new recipients. The lottery system was so successful that during its time, one third of Patek Philippe timepieces were designated for Gondolo & Labouriau, permanently creating a mark in history for both brands.
To the best of our knowledge, this watch has never been publicly offered at auction before.
Throughout the late 1870s to the early 1930s, Gondolo & Labouriau and Patek Philippe formed a powerful and successful relationship, much in part to a unique sales strategy. The retailer created a lottery system in which participants would pay ten Francs a week with 79 total payments to purchase a Patek Philippe timepiece. However, one lucky winner would be chosen every week and would immediately be awarded their watch, relieving them of any further payments.
These winners formed a continuously growing brotherhood, dubbed the “Gondolo Gang,” and held weekly lavish picnics for the new recipients. The lottery system was so successful that during its time, one third of Patek Philippe timepieces were designated for Gondolo & Labouriau, permanently creating a mark in history for both brands.
To the best of our knowledge, this watch has never been publicly offered at auction before.