Patek Philippe Gondolo 5124J Luxury Watch Review

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The Patek Philippe Gondolo 5124J battled the turbulent currents of the late 2000s "big watch" craze with the grace and refinement of its Art Deco inspiration.

With the 1993 launch of the "Gondolo" line, Patek Philippe embraced the currents of style that were responsible for the revival of classic non-round watches such as the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso and Rolex Prince. Directly inspired by the "Chronometro Gondolo" series built during the 1930s for upscale Brazilian importer "Gondolo and Labouriau."

The vintage "Gondolo" watches drew their inspiration from the robust rectilinear geometries and bold forms popularized by contemporary Art Deco skyscrapers, automobiles, and ocean liners. Each Patek Philippe Gondolo 5124J revives that distinguished tradition of pioneering avant garde style.

Each edge of the Gondolo 5124J's rectangular form has been enhanced with a secondary step that eases the transition from the flanks of the case to the gently cambered sapphire. Like the arced peaks of the Chrysler Building, the glistening shoulders of this (early) "20th Century Fox" dazzle in direct light.

The dial of the Gondolo 5124J reads as a portal into a bygone era of elegance and innovation. Patek Philippe calls this dial treatment “opaline-white,” and the color is distinctly different than conventional silver. It’s also remarkably smooth and devoid of distracting embellishments At the periphery, an hour track of stylized yellow gold dart indices is encircled by a modified "railroad" or sector chapter ring.

Like the 5124J as a whole, the form of the railroad ring has been invigorated with strong linear and perpendicular Art Deco forms; there's nary a soft curve to be seen.

Inside the handsome vintage-style 18-karat yellow gold case is a movement with pulchritude to match. Patek Philippe's in-house caliber 25-21 REC PS. Its classic Patek-designed "Gyromax" free-sprung escapement ensures precision in the face of on-the-wrist shocks, and Patek Philippe Seal standards of finish mean that even screw heads gleam with mirrored polish. Patek’s latest “Spiromax” amagnetic silicon hairspring keeps the beat within the Gyromax balance assembly. The 2.57mm thick movement's clever engineering is major contributor to this ultra-thin Patek Philippe Gondolo's sub-10mm total thickness.

See this outstanding neoclassical Patek Philippe Gondolo 5124J in high-resolution images on www.thewatchbox.com.

Video and content by Tim Mosso