Patek Philippe has introduced six new watches in its Gondolo Ladies First collection, presenting a contemporary interpretation of the brand’s Art Deco-inspired design language through precious metals, diamonds, coloured gemstones and quartz technology.
The new collection revisits the spirit of the 2009 Ladies First Chronograph Ref. 7071 while taking a distinctly jewellery-focused approach. According to Patek Philippe, the watches were conceived around President Thierry Stern’s desire to offer women an easy-to-wear jewellery watch that combines refined gem-setting with the practicality of a quartz movement.
A modern interpretation of the Gondolo
The Gondolo has a long association with Patek Philippe’s design history. Originating during the Art Deco era and created for the Brazilian market during the Manufacture’s golden age of design, the collection has appeared in cushion, square, rectangular and tonneau forms.
The new Gondolo Ladies First watches use a fully polished, cushion-shaped gold case with rounded contours and articulated lugs. The design combines square and circular forms while maintaining the slender profile made possible by the thin quartz movement. The articulated lugs are designed to allow the case to sit flush against the wrist.
The six new references are divided into two groups: three models with diamond-set dials and three Joaillerie models featuring extensive diamond-setting across the dial, case and lugs. They join two existing Haute Joaillerie versions featuring pearls and diamonds.
Three diamond-set dial models
The first three watches combine opaline dials with a diamond-set flange containing 108 diamonds. The stones follow the contours of the sloping flange, with graduated sizes and near-invisible grain settings.
The references are:
- Ref. 7043G-001: white gold case, blue-gray opaline dial and matching blue-gray calfskin strap with a denim pattern and contrasting white stitching.
- Ref. 7043R-001: rose gold case, chestnut opaline dial and matching chestnut calfskin strap with a denim pattern and contrasting cream stitching.
- Ref. 7043GR-001: white gold case with rose gold lugs and crown, silvery opaline dial and grained beige calfskin strap.
Each dial features a concentric wave pattern, creating a textured surface beneath the faceted trapeze-shaped hour markers. Leaf-shaped hands complete the design.
The technical specifications are shared across the three references: a Caliber E15 quartz movement, measuring 15 x 13 mm and 1.8 mm thick, with 57 components and six jewels. The movement operates at a frequency of 32,768 Hz and uses a 1.55 V silver oxide battery with an approximately three-year battery life.
The watches measure 31 x 34.8 mm, have a thickness of 8.03 mm, feature solid case backs and are water-resistant to 30 metres.
Joaillerie versions bring colour and diamonds
The three Joaillerie references take the collection considerably further into jewellery-watch territory. Their cases, dials and lugs are set with diamonds, while coloured gemstones form the hour markers.
Patek Philippe specifies 687 brilliant-cut diamonds across each Joaillerie watch. The diamond-setting includes 253 diamonds on the case and lugs, 108 diamonds illuminating the dial flange and 303 diamonds arranged around the centre of the dial.
The three versions are:
- Ref. 7043/250G-001: white gold with blue topaz hour markers and a shiny peacock-blue alligator strap.
- Ref. 7043/250R-001: rose gold with green tsavorite hour markers and a shiny green alligator strap.
- Ref. 7043/250GR-001: white and rose gold with purple amethyst hour markers and a shiny purple alligator strap.
The gemstones are set as trapeze-shaped hour markers in gold settings. Patek Philippe says the construction allows light to pass through the gemstones, enhancing their colour. The hands receive an ALD, or Atomic Layer Deposition, treatment and are matched visually with the coloured straps.
687 diamonds, plus coloured gemstones
The technical specifications provide a detailed breakdown of the Joaillerie setting.
For the Ref. 7043/250R-001, the watch contains:
- 411 diamonds on the dial and dial flange, totalling 1.37 carats
- 12 trapeze-cut tsavorites, totalling 0.22 carat
- 253 diamonds on the case, totalling 1.56 carats
- 23 diamonds on the buckle, totalling 0.18 carat
- 687 diamonds in total, totalling 3.11 carats
- 12 trapeze-cut tsavorites totalling 0.22 carat
The Ref. 7043/250G-001 uses 12 trapeze-cut topazes totalling 0.2 carat, while retaining the same 687-diamond, 3.11-carat total. The Ref. 7043/250GR-001 uses 12 trapeze-cut amethysts totalling 0.17 carat, again with 687 diamonds weighing a total of 3.11 carats.
The straps continue the colour theme: shiny green alligator for the tsavorite model, shiny peacock blue for the topaz version and hand-stitched shiny purple alligator for the amethyst model. Each buckle is set with diamonds.
Quartz at the heart of the collection
While the Gondolo name carries substantial mechanical-watch heritage, the new Ladies First models use Patek Philippe’s E15 quartz movement.
Patek Philippe describes the E15 as combining precision and ease of use. According to the Manufacture, 20% of the movement’s components are electronic, while the remaining 80% are manufactured using methods also employed for its mechanical calibres.
The movement provides hours and minutes, with the crown pulled out to set the time. Its approximately three-year battery life is specified for a new battery.
Gem-setting as a central part of the design
Patek Philippe states that the diamonds and coloured gemstones are selected according to its criteria and in line with GIA standards, with attention given to clarity, colour, proportions and finish.
The diamond-setting is carried out in the Manufacture’s own gem-setting ateliers. The press material says the setters use specialised gem-setting microscopes to achieve the required precision.
That emphasis is particularly visible in the Joaillerie watches, where the diamond arrangement extends from the case to the dial and buckle rather than being confined to a single decorative element.
A new campaign for Patek Philippe’s ladies’ collection
The Gondolo Ladies First collection also marks the inaugural appearance alongside Patek Philippe’s new “IAM. I WEAR.” campaign.
Created by London-based Leagas Delaney, the campaign is directed toward the modern woman and accompanies the introduction of the new watches. Patek Philippe also states that a short film supports the launch and was directed by Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet.
A Gondolo collection shaped around colour, jewellery and wearability
With the six new references, Patek Philippe combines the Gondolo’s historic cushion-shaped silhouette with contemporary colour and jewellery design. The three diamond-set models take a relatively restrained approach, pairing 108-diamond flanges with textured opaline dials, while the three Joaillerie references transform the same basic architecture with hundreds of diamonds and coloured gemstone hour markers.
The result is a collection that connects the Gondolo’s Art Deco heritage with a modern jewellery-watch format, while retaining the practical specifications of the E15 quartz movement.
