Patek Philippe Gondolo Diamonds, 2021

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Not every timepiece from the world’s greatest watchmaker fits neatly into the mould of an overarching theme or collection. While we love a simple 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 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. The maison enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the Brazilian retailer Gondolo & Labouriau for almost 60 years and from that, the Chronometro Gondolo was born. Veering away from the traditional aesthetics of round-cased watches, the Chronometro Gondolo gave rise to the so-called ‘form’ watches produced by Patek. This example, a Reference 7099G-001, dates to 2021 and features an 18K white gold tonneau case with a curved sapphire crystal, a signed crown and an exhibition caseback showcasing Patek’s manual-winding Calibre 25-21 REC movement. Its silver dial features a mesmerizing mix of guilloche finishes and applied diamonds, a minimalist set of applied hour indications, and a diamond set bezel. While many Pateks faeture more subdued dials, allowing their movement to take center stage, this piece flaunts the best of Patek's craftsmanship, both on the dial side with extensive decoration, and on the movement side. If you're looking for a nice ladies piece with some extra punch, or even are a guy with an eye for diamonds, this piece is a beautiful representation of Patek's mastery of watchmaking and jewelry execution.