18ct yellow gold Patek Philippe "Jumbo" wristwatch. Made 1912

Information

• Brand: Patek Philippe
• Made: 1912
• Model: Jumbo curved
• Reference: N/A 
• Calibre: 12'''
• Movement: Manual
• Material: 18ct yellow gold
• Features/complications: Oversized rectangular curved case
• Dial: Silvered dial featuring black printed outer minute track with Arabic numeral hour markers and blued steel spade hands
• Case dimensions: 29.5 x 45.5mm
• Bracelet/strap: Leather strap
• Accessories: Extract from the Archives
• SKU: 2764

Essay

Few vintage wristwatches have such a strong visual impact as the present oversized Gondolo-style wristwatch. Thanks to its unprecedented case proportions this masterpiece of early 20th century wristwatch design is always the center of any watch conversation. One's intellect can hardly perceive that the eye is looking at a 100 year old wristwatch. In fact, more than just one wristwatch manufacturer has revived this design in more recent decades, proof of how contemporary, yet timeless this design is.

The present example of this exceedingly small series, made during the 1910's and 1920's, has survived in remarkably original unmolested condition. It shows only little ageing and wear to the dial's surface and modest signs of polishing to the case. In fact, all inscriptions and numbers to the case back are clearly legible and the hinges feel solid and tight. Another interesting feature of this watch is the fact that it has two movement numbers - both confirmed by the archives of Patek Philippe. Often reserved to Patek Philippe's Brazilian retailer Gondolo & Labouriau, some examples of this line were also released in other parts of the world, such as Tiffany & Co. and Brinkmann in Naples, Italy, as in this instance.