Patek Philippe Gondolo Ref. 5124G-001

The history of the Patek Philippe Gondolo assortment is rich and intriguing, tracing its origins back to the 1800s. Named after the renowned retailer Gondolo & Labouriau in Rio de Janeiro, Patek Philippe established a prosperous partnership with them from 1872 to 1927. This collaboration led to the creation of exclusive timepieces for the Brazilian retailer, known as the Chronometro Gondolo—a range of pocket watches. Such was the success in Brazil that the term “Patek” became synonymous with “watch” among locals. In the 1920s, the Chronometro Gondolo expanded to include wristwatch variations, showcasing a diverse array of cases during the Jazz Age, spanning round, square, rectangular, tonneau, and cushion shapes. Presently, some of the original Gondolo collection’s historic pocket watches, along with early 1920s wristwatch models, are on display at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.

In 1993, Patek Philippe introduced the contemporary Gondolo collection, reimagining some of the brand’s historical pieces with a modern flair. This suite showcases Patek’s “form” watches, characterized by their non-round case shapes. The collection’s style draws heavy inspiration from Art Deco, predominantly featuring rectangular or tonneau-shaped cases.

The reference 5124G in our possession showcases an 18kt white gold case complemented by a captivating salmon dial featuring a running seconds subdial and powered by a manual-wind caliber 25-21 REC PS movement. This movement proudly displays Patek Philippe’s exquisite craftsmanship beneath its sapphire crystal case-back. This watch stands as a truly remarkable timepiece, echoing the intricate designs of the Art Deco era while maintaining an elegant balance without striving excessively. This exemplifies Patek’s prowess as both a watchmaker and a designer, adhering to the principle that simplicity can often convey greater sophistication.