Patek Philippe Gondolo 5109J: Art Deco Dynamo For the 21st Century

The Patek Philippe Gondolo 5109J battled the turbulent tides of the 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 Labourier.”

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 5109J revives that distinguished tradition of pioneering avant garde style.

Each edge of the Gondolo 5109J’s rectangular form has been enhanced with a secondary facet that provides a clean transition from the sheer of the flanks to the flat of the sapphire. Like a cut gemstone, the glistening angles of this (early) “20th Century Fox” dazzle in direct light.

The dial of the Gondolo 5109J reads as a portal into a bygone era of elegance and innovation. Patek Philippe combines spade, feuille, and cobalt-blued hands to trace the progress of time across the silver metallic watch face. At the periphery, an hour track of stylized yellow gold Breguet numerals is encircled by a modified “railroad” or sector chapter ring.

Like the Patek Philippe Gondolo 5109J 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 case is a movement with pulchritude to match. Patek Philippe’s in-house caliber 215. Its classic Patek-designed “Gyromax” free-sprung escapement ensures precision in the face of on-the-wrist shocks, and Geneva Seal standards of finish mean that even screw heads gleam with mirrored polish. The 2.55mm thick movement’s clever engineering is major contributor to this ultra-thin Patek Philippe Gondolo’s 6.2mm total thickness.