The Gondolo annual calendar in white gold has mysteriously disappeared from Patek Catalogues... Even if the reference 5135G is still to be seen on their web site, it smells like yet another unannounced retirement. Patek have been known in the past to surprise us with sudden drops of models from their lineup. What reason could have been behind this? Several come to mind;- The white gold version was just not popular. Personally it was my favorite but I guess most people want to "show" their investment in a watch usually like it to be yellow or rose gold. Platinum people are above good and evil...
- The white gold version was just too similar in looks to the Platinum. This might have turned some Platinum people away from the Annual Gondolo. If it's too similar, it's just not right. Three small diamonds and a light gray circle are just not enough to make it worth the platinum premium price. Watch brands usually reserve the best looking faces for their most expensive models. The gray face is the best looking (IMO) and should have initially been reserved for the Platinum case. Since the white gold Gondolo was presented first, when they realized it was too late.
- The finally have seen the light and stopped production on al white gold "RODIUM TREATED" models! Well, that sounds more like wishful thinking...
In any case, retirement or not, I like Patek's retirement policy. It's just clean and to the point. Now you see it, now you don't. This sometimes causes the market to go a bit mental and the pieces have an immediate increase in value (like with the Nautilus 3712A).
As with most early retirements with Patek, information is scarce. Dealers give you different stories and the official channels are just too important to even consider talking to you. If anybody can confirm this it would be great if you could comment here.
Patek Philippe...
2 comments:
I agree the Patek Philippe Gondolo Calendario Ref. 5135 is also one of my favorite Patek Philippe watches. There has been some speculation as to whether it will be discontinued but as of mid August it's still in the current collection. I would say though that we have seen just as many white gold models sell as rose. The Patek Philippe 5135 makes a bold statement while the Patek Philippe 5146 is slightly more understated. It's great to see the Annual calendar offered in two distinct styles.
I agree that such retirements from catalogues make Patek Philippe watches even more valuable. It's not surprising the brand manages to remain the record holder of practically all watch auctions - when the watch disappears from the catalogue and then is put up for auction in one exemplar Patek Philippe amateurs are agree to pay any price to become the owner of the timepiece.
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