What a mesmerising find; at a time when collectors are rediscovering the immense quality of early watches at a fraction of the price of contemporary wristwatches. It's no secret that important pocket watches are amongst the fastest growing assets at Christies and Phillips, and what could be of more importance than an exquisite Patek Philippe Gondolo from 1905 with original Patek box and Certificate... 

An extraordinary artefact from one of horology’s most intriguing partnerships. When prosperous gentlemen of Brazil wanted a watch befitting their station, they looked to the same name as prosperous gentlemen everywhere: Patek Philippe. And the only place they could obtain them was at Rio de Janeiro's venerable Gondolo & Labouriau. 

For supreme precision, reliability and presence, even now, there is little that can beat a solid Geneva watch. And boy, did those Brazilian gentlemen love Geneva watches; at one time the superstar jeweller Gondolo was responsible for a full third of Patek Philippe's entire worldwide sales!

The 18ct gold case puts one in mind of a hockey puck for its mass and solidity. With gold prices doubling since 2023, one wonders about the lesser watches that may not escape the bullion rush.

This watch is nothing short of a masterclass in the mystical art of giving solid, heavy things the leanest elegance. The expanse of milky white vitreous enamel is punctuated only by the restrained co-signature: Patek Philippe & Cie. & Chronometro Gondolo.

When you tilt the watch in the light, that exquisite gentle meniscus appears where the dial’s blackwork has fused into the white background under the heat of the enameller’s kiln. 

The movement is similarly self-confident: butter-yellow mercurial gilding, solid gold wheel train, wolf-tooth keyless wheels, high-precision cut bimetallic balance with Breguet overcoil spring, kidney-form stud carrier, and micrometric regulator index with snail for fine adjustment. 

The fully-signed case has an engine-turned back with almost no sign of use, and the bow for affixing a chain is firm and tight and similarly without wear. 

To cap it all, this watch comes with its original box and certificate! Printed in Geneva some 120 years ago, the document includes hand-written serial number, and details about the dial and escapement. The fitted morocco case also contains a spare watch glass wrapped in original tissue.