Patek Philippe Gondolo Annual Calendar

Today, when someone says "Patek Philppe," perhaps you think of a Nautilus, a Calatrava, or, if you’re like us, a Reference 3940 perpetual calendar. These larger-than-life pieces have made Patek the brilliant behemoth it is today. And yet, equally valuable are Patek’s quirkier, more under-the-radar pieces, which present an exceptional value and just as much — if not more! — personality than more conventional references. The Reference 5135J Gondolo in particular has always been one of those pieces. The Gondolo collection has a fascinating history rooted in Rio De Janeiro: Patek enjoyed a fruitful partnership of nearly 60 years with the Brazilian retailer Gondolo & Labouriau. From there, the Chronometro Gondolo was born. Veering away from the traditional aesthetics of round-cased watches, the Chronometro Gondolo challenged conventional approaches to watch design. The tonneau case of the 5135 is a bit more playful and retro, gelling well with the other vintage-rooted details of the complication's layout. Indeed, the nostalgic tonneau case shape from Patek Philippe was often extended to Patek’s more complicated configurations — perpetual calendars, minute repeaters, and annual calendars among others. The Reference 5135 is an annual calendar — convenient, reliable, and serviceable. Executed here in a 39mm 18K rose gold case, this Reference 5135R features a sapphire crystal, a smooth bezel with polished finishing, signed crown, and a sapphire exhibition caseback framing the maison’s self-winding Calibre 324. Fitted with a silky smooth silver dial, this piece features day-date-month indicators north of center, a 24-hour subsidiary register with moonphase display, a matching 'dauphine' handset, applied ‘dart’ indices, and Breguet indices at 3 and 9 o'clock. Outfitted with a signed brown alligator leather strap with a rose gold pin buckle, this 5135R comes to us with a host of factory goodies including its outer box, inner box, signed leather folio, pamphlets, pusher setting tool, and a Certificate of Origin dated February, 2009. While the tonneau case layout evokes a bygone era, the complication layout is actually quite contemporary, with an array of apertures across the dial displaying a suite of full calendar indications — a perfect fusion of vintage aesthetics and modern refinements.