Patek Philippe Gondolo

1989 marked an incredible anniversary for Patek Philippe — 150 years in business.  Founded in 1839, Patek Philippe is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world with an uninterrupted watchmaking history. Few international luxury brands carry the gravitas of their name, and for good reason. The firm's commitment to excellence in horological manufacture is unflinching, and their track record of innovation in design without peer. They continue to lead the industry, and even their fiercest competitors have nothing but the utmost respect for the company. From the simple elegance of their Calatrava line to the stunning study in miniaturization that is reference 1518 perpetual calendar to the modern reference 5750P chiming watch, Patek’s catalog is chock full of some of the most elegant and complicated timepieces ever made. Family-owned and completely independent, the firm has the freedom to do what it wants — such as discontinue one of the world’s most beloved steel luxury sport watches, the reference 5711 — when it wants. Take this Gondolo for example; a Reference 5024G from the early 2000s. It features a fantastic, 30mm curved 'Art Deco' case with a sapphire crystal, a signed, recessed crown, a beautiful satin salmon dial with applied stylized 'Art Deco Arabic' indices and a matching 'sword' handset, and Patek's Calibre 215 manual winding movement within. Paired to a signed black alligator leather strap with a matching white gold pin buckle, this piece offers something a bit off the beaten path for Patek, for those looking for something a little bit different, but packing a huge punch in the value department. Any old wristwatch can tell the time. Few truly define it.