Swiss 18 carat gold open faced keyless lever watch Circa 1910

Gold Chronometro Gondolo
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A very fine and large Swiss 18 carat gold open faced manual wind pocket watch, Chronometro Gondolo, made by Patek Philippe in Geneva, circa 1910. Retailed by Gondolo & Labouriau, Relojoeiros, Rio de Janeiro. The bridge movement with a piston tooth lever escapement and gold screw compensation balance. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track, outermost Arabic five minute numerals, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and spade hands. A plain case with blue and white enamelled monogram on the back. Dial, cuvette and movement signed by the watchmaker, case, cuvette and movement numbered, cuvette additionally signed Gondolo & Labouriau Rio de Janeiro.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 132 g
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Signed: Patek, Philippe & Cie Genève Chronometro Gondolo
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Between 1902 and 1930, Patek Philippe created an exclusive collection specifically for the renowned Brazilian watch house Gondolo & Labouriau. These pocket watches are usually characterized by oversizes and have wolf toothed winding wheels, a patent signature “Pat. Jan. 13, 1891”, gold gear train, an eccentric fine adjustment and a moustache balancing anker. Such was the reputation of the Patek brand in Brazil that the word “Patek” was considered a synonym for a watch as such, whether it was a Patek Philippe or not.