PATEK PHILIPPE 18K 56mm Chronometro Gondolo Open Face Rose Gold Pocket Watch Largest Size 22 Lignes with Archive

Description

REMARKS: Scarce and wonderful Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo 18K Rose Gold Pocket Watch in excellent condition.  This is the largest size for Patek Philippe’s famed Chronometro Gondolo watches at 56mm and very heavy for an open-faced watch at 126.8g.  Patek Philippe Archive Paper Accompanying it shows it was made in 1913 with 18K Rose Gold Case having Guilloche Caseback.  The legendary Chronometro Gondolo by Patek Philippe was initially made for the ultra wealthy ‘Gondolo Gang’ watch club members starting from 1872 and sold through Patek Philippe’s exclusive agent in Brazil in Gondolo & Labouriau.  These top grade pocket watches sold to Brazil were made to Brazilian taste and specifications.  No other Patek Philippe pocket watches were made in as many sizes and as large in open face format (such as this example we have for sale at 56mm), it is also customized to have 9K solid gold train wheels, mustache lever fork, snail cam regulator, and wolf teeth winding wheels.  This particular Chronometro Gondolo also has the model text prominently displayed on the dial with large capital letters which is preferred by many collectors.  All of the owners that purchase these largest sized Chronometro Gondolo watches belonged to Brazilian high society as the cost of buying such an extravagant timepiece amounts to several years of salary for the average wage earner.

CONDITION REPORT: Condition-wise the watch winds, sets, runs well and keeps good time but we cannot guarantee timekeeping accuracy or longevity as this is an antique timepiece that has not been serviced by us.  For any antique watch movement we always recommend for the owner to conduct full service with qualified watchmaker to ensure longevity of the mechanism.  Cosmetically this Chronometro Gondolo pocket watch is one of the nicest ones we’ve come across.  The enamel dial is mint with no hairline or chip and the 18K solid gold caseback still has nearly all of the guilloche engine turning intact.  Even the dust cover is free from scratches that resulted from careless opening.  There is one significant scratches inside the caseback.  Movement is in excellent cosmetic shape as well.  Diameter is 56mm, total weight is 126.8g.