Swiss Chronometer Gondolo watch with 24 hour dial Circa 1908

Silver open faced keyless lever watch by Patek Philippe & Co.

A rare Swiss silver open faced keyless lever Chronometer Gondolo watch with 24 hour dial, circa 1908, retailed by Gondolo & Labouriau. It features a frosted gilt movement, signed Patek Philippe & Cie, and is equipped with a lever escapement. The white enamel dial, signed Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, has Arabic numerals from 1 to 23 in black, only with the numbers 6, 12, 18 and 24 highlighted in red, gold spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial. The case is silver and engine turned. The cuvette is signed Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève.
–
This timepiece is identified as a Chronometro Gondolo, specifically made for Gondolo & Labouriau Relojoeiros in Rio de Janeiro. The Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirms that the date of sale was February 5th, 1909.
–
Diameter: 53 mm
–
Signed: Patek Philippe & Cie Genève
–
The movement is running, and the case is in fair condition with a noticeable engine turning on the back. There is some tarnishing and wear visible throughout. The dial’s enamel is intact and overall in fair condition; however, there are fine scratches and nicks that can be seen upon close examination.
–
In 1872, Patek Philippe began selling watches in South America through a retailer called Gondolo and Labouriau, located in Rio de Janeiro. This partnership lasted until 1927 and was highly profitable for Patek Philippe. Gondolo and Labouriau accounted for nearly one third of the brand’s total production when Europe experienced economic difficulties due to the First World War. The success of these sales in South America was so significant that Brazilian consumers started using the term Patek as a synonym for watch.
–
Gondolo & Labouriau greatly benefitted from their relationship with Patek Philippe, forming an exclusive club of collectors called the Gondolo Gang. Membership requires each participant to purchase a Patek Philippe watch. Clients were allowed to pay ten francs each week towards the total cost of the watch, which was 790 francs. Additionally, Gondolo & Labouriau organised a weekly lottery. The winner in the first week received his watch for free, the second week winner paid only ten francs, the third week winner paid twenty francs, and so on. This continued for 79 weeks, after which all remaining members paid the full retail price. This approach served as clever marketing and provided members with a form of gambling, which was illegal in Brazil at the time, although it was not strictly enforced in private clubs.
–
Chronometro Gondolo pocket watches are equipped with keyless winding mechanisms, utilising wolf’s tooth winding wheels, and include a recessed square socket for releasing the barrel spring. Additionally, these watches feature a gold wheel train, a moustache lever, and a unique off set precision regulator with a snail form cam.