18ct Yellow Gold PW by Patek Philippe - Swiss 1910

Original pre-owned, excellent condition 18ct yellow gold Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo Pocket Watch, signed 'Patek, Philippe & Cie Geneve', made in Switzerland in 1910. This pocket watch is extremely well-persevered and in wonderful condition. Patek Philippe began production of this iconic model 'Chronometro Gondolo' in 1872 and sold it through Patek Philippe’s exclusive agent in Brazil: Gondolo & Labouriau. Dial:- The white enamel ‘bassine style’ dial is signed: ‘Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève’, J. Navarro with black Roman numerals, outer minute divisions in Arabic numerals and a subsidiary second’s dial at the six. The dial has gold hour and minute hands. Movement:- The jewelled top wind manual-winding movement is signed: “Patek Philippe & Cie, Geneve”, numbered ‘No.162203‘ and dated ‘Pat. Jan 13, 1891’, The movement is in good working condition, as it has just been serviced at my watchmaker. The lever moustache escapement movement has 21 jewels and blued overcoil hairspring, wolf's tooth winding with gold wheels, and matt gilded bridge movement bimetallic compensation balance with micrometre adjustment to the regulator. This watch can be adjusted with accuracy to the second. Case:- The engine-turned case initiated back centre monogram “Ab”, stamped 18k and bearing maker’s marks Pp.Co The inner side of the case is stamped: 5-1-1916 The gold cuvette is inscribed ‘Chronometro Gondolo, No.266395, Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, Fabricado expressamente para Gondolo & Labouriau Relojoeiros, Rio-de-Janeiro’, I translate ‘Expressly manufactured for Gondolo & Labouriau, watchmakers, Rio De Janeiro’. Patek Philippe Gondolo History:- The Gondolo collection was named after the famous retailer in Rio-de Janeiro, Gondolo & Labouriau, with whom Patek Philippe enjoyed a strong and successful business relationship between 1872 and 1927. The bond resulted in the creation of timepieces - designed exclusively for the Brazilian retailer - named the Chronometro Gondolo. The collection initially consisted only of pocket watches, before the first wristwatch appeared in the 1920s. At a time when Europe struggled with lean years and faced a World War, it was Gondolo & Labouriau alone who retailed close to a third of the entire production of Patek Philippe watches. Gondolo timepieces are now some of the most coveted by collectors. The watches were originally sold to members of their exclusive club, the “Gondolo Gang”. Consisting of Brazilian high-society, each member was required to buy one pocket watch which retailed for 790 Swiss francs. Clients would pay 10 francs per week until the watch was fully paid for, however Gondolo Labouriau held weekly drawings so that the first week’s winner received his watch for free, while the second week’s winner had paid 10 francs and so on until the 79th week’s winner, at this point remaining members were required to pay the full retail price. This clever system not only helped sell watches but allowed their private club members to gamble - which was illegal at the time - but not enforceable for private organisations. The Chronometro Gondolo pocket watches were made in nine different sizes and at first, were most remarkable owing to their simplicity and lack of pretension. Of all the technical features required for a movement to officially be a ‘Chronometro Gondolo’, it was the gear-train of 9ct gold that was the most distinctive. Second to this was the requirement to have an ‘ébauche’ (movement-blank) which was based on a drawing by Jean-Adrien Philippe (1815-1894) patented in the Us on 13th January 1891. Are you looking to sell your pocket watch collection? Euro Antique Watches have been in business for over 35 years and are experts in antique pocket watch appraisal. We will be delighted to offer you a competitive price for your valuable collection.