Patek Philippe Gondolo 5109G White Gold

This watch is in excellent condition. This watch is not waterproof and has no guarantee for water resistance.

Watch comes with original box, outer box, booklets, spare black strap and dated certificate of origin.

Although Patek Philippe is no stranger to rectangular watches, the Gondolo name was born in a slightly roundabout way. Towards the end of the 19th Century, Patek Philippe was looking for retail partners across the globe. One of these was the jeweller Gondolo & Labouriau, based in Brazil's Rio De Janeiro. From 1872 to 1927, Patek Philippe maintained a partnership with the company, designing and producing a collection of rectangular and tonneau-shaped watches exclusively for the Brazillian retailer.

While the partnership ended in the early 20th Century, the Gondolo name was revived in 1993 as moniker for the brand's rectangular and tonneau watches. These designs are heavily inspired by Art Deco and Art Nouveau aesthetics typical of the original Gondolo watches. The result is a modern collection of unusually-shaped watches with a long and fascinating history.

PATEK PHILIPPE

To many, Patek Philippe is the epitome of the high-end watchmaker. Throughout its nearly two centuries' of existence, it has weathered everything from the World Wars to the Quartz Crisis of the 1980s. Even today, it's widely acknowledged to be amongst the most successful and prestigious watchmakers, with its creations gracing wrists of everyone from bankers and politicians to rappers and actors.

Patek Philippe began its life as Patek, Czapek & Cie. in 1839 and made its name by making some of the most accurate watch movements. By the turn of the century, Patek was venturing into the realm of high complications, including split-seconds chronographs, perpetual calendars, and minute repeaters. The latter made it into wristwatch-form in 1924 as a piece unique for Ralph Teetor, the inventor of the cruise control function.

In 1932, the company ownership changed hands to the Stern family, who still run Patek Philippe. In that same year, the Calatrava wristwatch was introduced. By the 1970s, seeing the damage which the Quartz Crisis had done to the industry, Patek Philippe decided to introduce a bold new steel watch. Thus, the Nautilus was born.

Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, solidifying its reputation as one of the finest Swiss watchmakers. From the highly-desirable stainless steel sports watches, to the famed high complications, down to the "humble" Calatrava, Patek Philippe proves that it can do it all.