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Lot Essay
On 12 November 1872, Patek Philippe sold its first watch to the Rio de Janiero based retailer Gondolo & Labouriau. Until 1927, when the relationship ended, approximately one third of Patek Philippe’s entire production was sold through this Brazilian retailer. Thousands of watches were made that are now known as Gondolo watches and wristwatches and they represent some of the most coveted Patek Philippe watches ever made. The reasons are simple: the quality of these timepieces is impressive in their unique technical requirements and is the way they were originally sold to exclusive member’s of the ultimate watch collecting club, the Gondolo Gang. Four basic requirements were requested by Gondolo & Labouriau to distinguish the watches made for them from the watches made for Patek Philippe’s regular production. First, the watches needed to be made with gilded brass plates and feature the elegant S-shaped fourth wheel patented by Patek Philippe on 13 January 1893. The S-shaped minute train bridge is now considered one the company’s hallmark designs. Secondly, a Swiss moustache lever escapement with bimetallic compensation balance was needed on each of the watches to meet high precision standards. Thirdly, the fourth, intermediate, and minute wheels of the watch were made in 9k rose gold. Lastly, a square socket was necessary in each of the mainspring barrels.