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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pendant watch

Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo 12-ligne Pendant Watch

Partially verified

This Patek Philippe 'Chronometro Gondolo' 12-ligne pendant watch, manufactured circa 1910, was specifically produced for the Brazilian retailer Gondolo & Laboriau in Rio de Janeiro. The object is a small, keyless lady's pendant watch housed in an 18K rose gold four-body 'bassine' case. It features an engine-turned case back and a gold hinged cuvette. The white enamel dial is accented with radial Roman numerals, an outer minute track featuring Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals, and a subsidiary seconds dial. The watch is powered by a frosted gilt, patented bridge caliber movement, signed by Patek, Philippe & Cie., which includes 18 jewels, a gold train, a straight-line lever escapement 'à moustache', a cut bimetallic compensation balance, and a blued steel Breguet balance spring. Winding is achieved via a wolf's tooth gear mechanism. The dial, case, and movement are signed as described by the auction house report.

Front view of the Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo 12-ligne pendant watch featuring a white enamel dial with Roman numerals.
Front view of the Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo 12-ligne pendant watch featuring a white enamel dial with Roman numerals. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Pendant watch
Maker / attribution
Patek, Philippe & Cie.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
232
Source-reported date
circa 1910
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
143140 (movement), 248710 (case)

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The watch is housed in an 18K rose gold, four-body 'bassine' case with a diameter of 32 mm. The exterior of the case back is finished with engine-turned decoration.

An outer minute track includes Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals, providing clarity for chronometric readings. The subsidiary seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position, and the watch is fitted with pink gold spade-style hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-body, ?bassine?, solid, polished, engine-turned case back, gold hinged cuvette.”
  • “White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with 5-minute Arabic markers, subsidiary seconds dial.”

Movement and Mechanics

The watch utilizes a Caliber 12''' frosted gilt movement. It is constructed as a patented bridge caliber, featuring 18 jewels and a gold train. The technical profile includes a straight-line lever escapement 'à moustache' and a cut bimetallic compensation balance for temperature regulation, paired with a blued steel Breguet balance spring.

Winding is performed through a wolf's tooth gear arrangement. The caliber is further equipped with an eccentric cam micrometer regulator for precise rate adjustments. The movement is signed by Patek, Philippe & Cie., confirming its origin from the manufacturer's Geneva workshop.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cal. 12''', frosted gilt, patented bridge caliber, 18 jewels, gold train, straight line lever escapement ?à moustache?”
  • “eccentric cam micrometer cam regulator, wolf's tooth winding.”

Provenance and Identification

The watch is identified by movement number 143140 and case number 248710. The source records indicate this watch was made for the prominent retailer Gondolo & Laboriau in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at approximately 1910. The Patek Philippe archives identify this specific production as part of the 'Chronometro Gondolo' line.

The auction description confirms that the dial, case, and movement all bear the manufacturer's signature. The grading system provided by the source rates the movement at '2 Very good' and the case at '3 Good', documenting its present state of preservation as a late-period Chronometro Gondolo pendant watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “Made for Gondolo & Laboriau, Relojoeiros, Rio de Janeiro, circa 1910.”
  • “Dial, case and movement signed.”

Open research questions

  • What specific production volumes for the 12-ligne pendant models were commissioned by Gondolo & Laboriau between 1905 and 1915?
  • Are there original sales ledgers from the Rio de Janeiro boutique that detail the initial purchase of this specific serial numbered watch?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo 12-ligne Pendant Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Number143140“No. 143140”
Case Number248710“case No. 248710”
RetailerGondolo & Laboriau“Made for Gondolo & Laboriau, Relojoeiros, Rio de Janeiro”
Case Material18K Rose Gold“18K rose gold lady?s pendant watch”
Movement Type12-ligne“Cal. 12'''”
EscapementStraight line lever 'à moustache'“straight line lever escapement ?à moustache?”
Diameter32 mm“Diam. 32 mm”

Visible details

  • Case features engine-turned detailing on the back
  • Movement utilizes a wolf's tooth winding gear
  • Dial includes a subsidiary seconds register
  • Hands are fashioned in pink gold spade style

Research qualifications

  • The exact provenance history beyond the original retail commission remains undocumented
  • Internal mechanical condition beyond the provided grading system is not independently verified

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

'Chronometro Gondolo 12 Lines' Patek, Philippe & Cie., Genève, 'Chronometro Gondolo', No. 143140, case No. 248710. Made for Gondolo & Laboriau, Relojoeiros, Rio de Janeiro, circa 1910. Very fine and rare, small, keyless, 18K rose gold lady's pendant watch.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record ceb6955f28

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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