Not every timepiece from the world’s greatest watchmaker fits neatly into the mold of an overarching theme or collection.
While we love a simple Patek Philippe Calatrava, a sporty Aquanaut, or a complicated perpetual calendar as much as the next guy, the oddball, overlooked and usually limited-production shaped watches made by the maison in the second half of the 20th century are often some of the most innovative and charming in the brand’s oeuvre.
The Gondolo collection in particular has an interesting history rooted, not in Geneva, but Rio de Janeiro. Patek enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the Brazilian retailer Gondolo & Labouriau for almost 60 years — from that relationship, the Gondolo collection was born. Veering away from the traditional aesthetics of round-cased watches, the Gondolo contains a wide variety of complications in tonneau-shaped cases that explore a more adventurous side of Patek Phillipe’s watchmaking.
This particular Gondolo, a Reference 5014J, features a 27.5mm 18K yellow gold rectangular case with a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, and a smooth bezel. Its white dial is a picture of modernity and cleanliness, with printed black ‘Arabic’ indices, an inner chemin de fer minute track, and a black ‘feuille’ handset. Powered by the manually-wound Patek Philippe Calibre 215 manually-wound movement, it comes paired to a brown alligator leather strap with a yellow gold pin buckle.
Dressy and refined with classic proportions, this Gondolo is an exemplary piece of watchmaking from the world’s top watchmaker. What could be better?