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PATEK PHILIPPE OVERSIZE VINTAGE GONDOLO 1920’S

The Patek Philippe Gondolo collection was named after the Brazilian retailer Gondolo & Labouriau, with whom the brand had a successful partnership from 1872 to 1927. Initially producing exclusive pocket watches, the collection expanded to wristwatches in the 1920s. During a challenging period in Europe, Gondolo & Labouriau sold nearly a third of Patek Philippe’s production. These watches quickly became synonymous with elegance and sophistication, showcasing Patek Philippe’s mastery in both craftsmanship and design. Over the years, the Gondolo series has evolved, blending classic elements with modern touches, but always maintaining its distinctive, timeless style. Today, the Gondolo remains a symbol of luxury, celebrated for its refined design and technical excellence.

The present Patek Philippe Gondolo wristwatch is an outstanding example belonging to this iconic collection, which has been in production since the late 19th century as a collaboration between the Brazilian retailer and Patek Philippe. This Gondolo features the signature square case and shape that became synonymous with the collection. Remarkably large for its time, the case measures an impressive 36x25mm, a truly extraordinary size for the period. According to the Patek Philippe extract, the watch was sold in 1922, making it a forward-thinking piece both for Patek Philippe and the Gondolo retailer. The dial is also exceptional, featuring large, exploded Arabic numerals, which was quite rare for the era. The watch is fully correct for its year of manufacture and confirmed by the extract, which notes the gilded dial, the 10-line Patek Philippe signed movement and the type of handset.. Considering its age, the overall condition is remarkable. The dial is well-preserved with signs of aging, likely unrestored, while the case retains its original shape with a beautiful oxidation patina. The movement functions flawlessly.

ROLEX VICTORY WW2

The Rolex Victory is a rare watch made by Rolex for the Canadian market during World War II. These watches were sold in military stores and privately purchased by servicemen, often worn during their deployment in Europe. The Victory came in cases made from steel, silver, or gold-plated materials, with some produced locally by Pioneer or ID. It featured a compact 28.5–30 mm water-resistant case and a modified FHF caliber 30 movement, renamed the Rolex caliber 59. The dials often had 24-hour markings, Arabic numerals, and luminous hands, designed for easy legibility. Models were available with either subsidiary seconds or central seconds. This watch shares its history with the Rolex Skyrocket and Canadian Oyster models, representing an early chapter of Rolex’s wartime production. Today, it stands as a rare collectible and a piece of wearable history.

The present watch is a rare Rolex Victory in remarkably good overall condition. This is noteworthy because many Rolex Victory watches were heavily worn during World War II, often in demanding military environments. Finding one in such preserved condition, even with signs of wear and light aging on the dial, is truly exceptional. The watch is all original and matching. The dial, featuring red 24-hour markings, is untouched and not reprinted. The case is unsigned, as expected for Rolex Victory models, but the numbers and the “Made in USA” ID factory mark are correctly engraved inside the caseback. This aligns with the history of these watches, which had American-made cases paired with Swiss dials and movements.While the watch shows natural aging, this is entirely normal for a piece of this era. Notably, the original radium on the hands and markers is still intact, adding to its authenticity and historical value

ROLEX DAYDATE REF. 1803 CLAW INDEX RIVETTI BRACELET

In 1956, Rolex introduced one of its most iconic and cherished creations: the Day-Date, the first automatic, waterproof wristwatch to display both the date and the day of the week. A groundbreaking innovation, it was the first watch to feature the date at three o’clock and the day of the week at 12 o’clock. Over the years, Rolex offered numerous aesthetic variations of the Day-Date, each distinguished by its reference number and the bezel finish. Among these, the reference 1803 stands out as the most iconic. It debuted in 1959 with the original fluted bezel design, which quickly became synonymous with the Day-Date and remains its most recognizable and celebrated feature.

This Rolex Day-Date reference 1803 is an early example manufactured in 1962, just a few years after the reference debuted in 1959. As one of the earliest 1803 models, it boasts several rare and desirable features unique to this period. The dial is marked “Swiss,” indicating the use of radium rather than tritium, a detail found only in the earliest examples. It also features rare claw-shaped indexes and sword-shaped hands, both of which are highly uncommon. The movement is powered by the caliber 1555, consistent with the first series of 1803 watches. Additionally, the original riveted bracelet, dated 1962 with correct 76 endlinks, enhances the watch’s desirability. The watch is in excellent condition for its age. The dial shows only some light signs of aging, with an attractive brown patina that has developed over the years, lume on hands and dial correctly reacts to UV light, bezel and movement are well preserved. The bracelet, though partially repaired in the final links, remains a fitting complement to this historically significant timepiece.

FRANCK MULLER TRANSAMERICA MEGAPOLE CHRONOGRAPH WORLD TIME

The Franck Muller Metropole is a rare and lesser-known model from the Swiss watchmaker. Made in a limited edition of 250 pieces, it features a 40mm stainless steel case and matching steel bracelet. The watch combines a chronograph with a World Time function, showing the time in 14 cities, including London, New York, Tokyo, and Milan. While not one of Franck Muller’s most popular models, the Metropole is practical and well-made, offering useful features in a straightforward design.

The present Megapole specimen is one of only 250 pieces ever produced by Franck Muller. It was sold in the early 2000s and, while not widely known among collectors, it is an interesting watch to own and collect due to its well-executed GMT complication, which displays city names through the aperture at 3 o’clock. The overall condition is exceptional, with virtually no signs of wear on the case. The dial is flawless, and the mechanical movement, including the complication, functions perfectly. The bracelet shows no stretch and only minor signs of wear. The caseback features an inscription indicating the watch’s limited edition number.

Limited Edition of 250 pieces.

CHOPARD LADY JEWEL CUFF WATCH ONYX DIAL

Founded in 1860, Chopard is a renowned Swiss luxury watchmaker known for its expertise in crafting timepieces that combine fine materials, diamonds, and intricate designs. The brand revolutionized women’s watches with the introduction of the “Happy Diamonds” collection in 1976, featuring diamonds that freely float between two sapphire crystals—a design that became iconic. Over time, Chopard expanded its jewelry watches creating timepieces that were not just tools for telling time, but also exquisite pieces of jewelry. These luxurious watches quickly became symbols of prestige, favored by women seeking both beauty and craftsmanship. An example of this is the present Chopard stunning 18kt yellow gold cuff watch with a black onyx dial.

This Chopard ladies’ jewelry cuff is an exquisite piece that seamlessly blends luxury and fine horology. The design features a 3-piece cuff bracelet made of 18kt yellow gold, with an oval section that houses the watch. The watch is equipped with an onyx dial, dauphine hands, and a manual-winding movement, with a hidden crown for winding and time-setting. Given its small size, the mechanical movement is a true work of art, enhancing the watch’s value and demonstrating remarkable craftsmanship. These pieces were mostly made to order, making them rare on the market. The overall condition is excellent, with no stretching or damage to the cuff’s opening mechanism. The dial shows some aging, but nothing unusual for a watch of this age, the movement functions flawlessly.