Mint condition and barely used Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo 18 K rose gold antique pocket watch with extract from the archives and modern Patek Philippe box. The watch has been in a safe most of its life, the case has never been polished and there are no cracks or chips in the enamel dial.  The name "Gondolo" that designates one of the families in the current Patek Philippe line originates from a chapter of the company's history that unfolded in Brazil. Between 1900 and 1928, the Geneva workshops produced "Chronometro Gondolo" pocket and wristwatches for Gondolo & Labouriau, a jeweler in Rio de Janeiro. Patek Philippe's relationship with Gondolo & Labouriau began in 1872, when Patek Philippe delivered its first pocket watch to Gondolo. Initially, Gondolo & Labouriau distributed ordinary pocket watches from the Patek Philippe range. The first, sold on Nov. 12, 1872, was an 18-ligne pocket watch with a lever escapement in a silver case.  In 1900, the Rio de Janeiro jeweler commissioned Patek Philippe to make an exclusive pocket watch henceforth designated "Chronometro Gondolo". The first deliveries were made that year. The caliber of this model was made of gold-plated brass, in some cases with rhodium finish, and adorned with Geneva striping. The caliber was the same for all watch sizes and featured an S-shaped fourth wheel bridge and two parallel curved cocks for the minute and escapement wheels, a bridge for the spring barrel, and a massive cock for the ratchet. This caliber design was typical of Patek Philippe. It was patented in the United States on January 13, 1891, and the movements of most Chronometro Gondolo models refer to this U.S. patent.  The technical specifications for the watches in this exclusive series were specified by Gondolo & Labouriau as follows: 1. A Swiss lever escapement with a lever having lateral winglet-shaped counter poises, called the moustache lever due to its shape. 2. A precision regulator using a cam wheel regulator according to Swiss patent No. 142376 applied for by Adrien Philippe and granted on April 16,1880. 3. Fourth, intermediate, and minute wheels made of 9K rose gold. 4. A square socket in the mainspring barrel arbor.  Several features of the movement did not have to be explicitly specified because they were the norm around 1900 for a watch manufacturer of Patek Philippe's stature. They include the winding wheels with saw-toothed or wolfs-tooth profiles; 18, 19, 20, or 21 jewels; a Breguet-style curved over coil of the flat balance spring; and a bimetallic compensation balance. The Gondolo & Labouriau inventive marketing techniques enabled them to become the world's largest retailer of Patek Philippe watches. The watch is in immaculate condition inside and out. The case is made from 18 karat rose gold and is unpolished and has no wear of any significance as it has been in a safe for most of its life. The case is fully hallmarked on the inner cover and correctly stamped, as is the inner dust cover. The case back is factory engraved as many of the Coronometro Gondolo watches were specifically made for customers. The engraving is of high quality an clearly factory engraved. Also the extract from the archives states that it is engine turned engraved with the initials CM. The movement is a 20 jewel counter poised moustache lever escapement, the winding wheels are saw-toothed or wolfs-tooth profiles, Breguet curved over coil of the flat balance spring; and a bimetallic compensation balance and it has 9 karat gold fourth, intermediate and minute wheels. The watch face is an open face bassine style with white enamel dial and Roman numerals and small second hand. The dial is fully and correctly marked. The date of manufacture is 1907 and was sold on 6th August 1907. This is a wonderful collectors piece in immaculate condition and a collector’s dream watch in perfect running order. The width is 51mm and thickness is 14 mm. Ref PAT 10. Price is £4,300 or US $6,795

Used but mint condition Patek Philippe Nautilus model reference 3710. It is quite a rare model as it was not produced for very long between 1997 and 2005. This is the Jumbo Nautilus with Roman numerals and power reserve indicator at the 12 position. This is only one of two of the Patek Philippe sports models in stainless steel as Patek Philippe tend to focus their collections on precious metal classical style wristwatches. The case was designed by the legendary and late Gerald Genta, which has designed some of the worlds most iconic watches. The shape of the case takes its design from a ships port hole. The bracelet and case are both beautifully engineered. Patek Philippe is without doubt the world’s finest watch making institution.  They are the most highly regarded of wristwatches, streets above their closest competitors in terms of quality, engineering and craftsmanship and they are the most desired and sought after watches in the world.  If one can afford a Patek Philippe, it is a prize possession that will last a life time and successive generations when passed down.  Patek Philippe was established in 1839, and from the outset began to change the watch making world with the introduction of innovations such as the winding crown and setting mechanism, and setting records for mechanical movement precision which still remain unbroken.  The watch has got a stainless steel case finely finished with course grain brushed finish to the top and polished case sides with crown protecting shoulders. The case back is screw down with a screw down crown allowing a water resistance of 120 metres, so should be suitable for swimming, however water resistance has not been tested. The screw on case back has got a sapphire crystal displaying the movement ands naturally the crystal to the front of the watch is also a sapphire crystal.  The movement is a mechanical automatic with date at the 3 position and central sweep second hand. Comes with original box and papers.  Dimensions are as follows:  Width is 34 mm excluding crown and 36 mm including crown, lug to lug is 36 mm.  Ref. PAT 09. Price is £16,495 or US $26,850

Beautiful looking an mint condition Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 2593. Patek Philippe is without doubt the world’s finest watch making institution.  They are the most highly regarded of wristwatches, streets above their closest competitors in terms of quality, engineering and craftsmanship and they are the most desired and sought after watches in the world.  If one can afford a Patek Philippe, it is a prize possession that will last a life time and successive generations when passed down.  Patek Philippe was established in 1839, and from the outset began to change the watch making world with the introduction of innovations such as the winding crown and setting mechanism, and setting records for mechanical movement precision which still remain unbroken.  Not surprisingly the company’s reputation was soon established amongst discerning individuals who appreciate Patek Philippe’s vow to create “the world’s finest and most valuable wristwatches”.  Patek Philippe’s long list of illustrious and distinguished customers include Queen Victoria, Tchaikovsky and Albert Einstein.  The Patek Philippe is for people who pursue perfection in watch making, where there are absolutely no compromises.  Only the finest materials are sued and craftsmanship used to the highest standards.  Patek Philippe is an independent family owned business and therefore under no constraints.  They design and construct their own timepieces.  In the quest for perfection, the craftsmen take four years of research and development, nine months of production and three months of assembly and control before they can leave the workshops.  This as well as the skill of the Patek Philippe master watchmakers and craftsmen supports their ambition to achieve absolute supremacy in all of the technical and aesthetic aspects of the traditional art of watch making.  Equally the unlimited time they lavish upon their watches is reflected o their astonishing reliability. Patek Philippe watches made in the 1800’s are still keeping excellent time today, with the pivot escape wheels having turned 12 billion times.  All Patek Philippe wristwatch movements bear the Geneva Seal hallmark.  This is the most sought after attribute and highest official recognition of excellence in watch making.  It was introduced in the Republic of Geneva in 1886 in order to provide a guarantee of the origin and the craftsmanship of clocks and watches made in Geneva. The criteria includes 12 technical absolute requirements related to the manufacturing of the movement.  Patek Philippe is the only watch manufacturer in the world whose every movement bear the Geneva Seal hallmark. The watch dates to 1961and comes in its original inner and outer box with an extract from the archives giving details on date of production and details about the watch. The extract from the archives was issued in 1988 and show that it was sold on 20th October 1961. It is a hand winding movement with a movement number 786.555. It is a model reference 2593. The case is made of 18 karat gold with a solid gold case back. It is a classically styled case which is on the smaller size but perfectly proportioned. The case has a snap on case back which is a snug and perfect fit as you would expect from a perfectly engineered case. It is fully stamped and hallmarked. The dial is pearly silver with gold baton and gold hands. There is some patina to the outer edge of the dial, but this is perfectly normal for a watch of this age. The movement is in immaculate condition and a beautiful looking. It is an 18 jewel hand winding, adjusted to hot and cold and 5 positions. It is full stamped and marked by Patek Philippe and like all Patek Philippe movements it is a work of art in itself. The watch comes on a genuine Patek Philippe black leather strap with 18 karat gold Patek Philippe signed buckle. The equivalent purchase cost for a new Calatrava today is a minimum of £14,500. Dimensions are; Width is 33 mm excluding the crown, 34 mm including the crown. 38 mm lug to lug and 7 mm thick. Ref: PAT 08. Price is £5,200 or US $8,450