Patek Philippe surprises us with an off season release of a new Gondolo Serata watch – with an exquisite Zebra motif.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Patek Philippe Gondolo Serata Zebra Ref. 4962/200R
The Patek Philippe Gondolo Serata Zebra Ref. 4962/200R has a retail price of CHF 35,400 / SGD 61,900.
Commentary
The Patek Gondolo series is an interesting shape/form watch which is rather unusual. The case design is rectangular with the sides “swelling” into bulbous lugs. The description does not do the case design any favours, but the visual impression looking at the watch is indeed one of elegance and a exudes an air of nobility.
The design is very similar to the Serata which was launched in 2006, but takes on a bold stance with the visual display of the closoinné enamel dial with a zebra motif. This is a special creation from the Patek Rare Handcraft savoir faire, and uses a technique of a sapphire crystal dial engraved with the design. The black parts are metallised, and the white parts varnished on the underside of the crystal.
The case is in rose gold with embellishments of gemstones arranged in a two tone colour gradient from cognac to tangerine.
Movement is a standard in-house produced E15 quartz movement. Patek claims the mechanical components are finished to the same levels as their all mechanical movements. The caseback is closed, and here are official photographs of the front and back of the movement.
Release information
A new dress-watch model version set with spessartites and featuring an innovative sapphire crystal dial adorned with a zebra motif
First launched in 2006, the Gondolo Serata stands out with its soft, Art Deco-inspired curves. Its distinctive design offers a contemporary take on the evening or “dress” watch that can be worn with style during the day. It made its grand debut in diamond-set white gold versions framing guilloché mother-of-pearl dials (References 4972G-001 and 4972/1G-001), that were produced until 2021.
In 2023, this jewelry watch exuding unique style and timeless elegance made its return to the Patek Philippe current collection in a slightly larger rose gold version featuring a spessartite-set case and a brown lacquered dial graced with a floral motif (Reference 4962/200R-001).
Patek Philippe is reinterpreting this model with a dial bearing an original zebra motif inspired by the Reference 5738/50G-023 Golden Ellipse wristwatch in cloisonné enamel, one of the highlights of the 2022 Rare Handcrafts collection. To recreate the visual interplay of the stripes with the zebra firmly in the foreground, the Manufacture has applied an innovative and refined technique involving a sapphire crystal dial engraved and black varnished on both sides. The zebra motif is then completed with black metallization and white varnish on the underside of the sapphire crystal dial, thus creating magnificent volume and depth effects. The time is displayed by two applied Breguet numerals at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock swept over by rose gold leaf-shaped hands.
The rose gold case (28.6 x 40.85 mm) is set with 94 brilliant-cut spessartite gemstones (2.02 ct) arranged in a double color gradient covering a spectrum from cognac shades at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock to tangerine tones at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock. This dark-light-dark effect and the variations in the size of the gemstones emphasize the daintily “waisted” and cambered profile of the watch, ensuring a perfectly smooth fit on the wrist. A second row of spessartite gemstones on the lower part of the case accentuates its asymmetrical curves.
The new Gondolo Serata Reference 4962/200R-010 comes with a white calfskin strap with satin finish. The rose gold pin buckle is adorned with the Patek Philippe logo.
This timepiece houses the Patek Philippe quartz caliber E15 whose mechanical components are finished with the same attention to detail as those found in the manufacture’s all-mechanical movements.
Patek Philippe Gondolo Serata Zebra Ref. 4962/200R technical specifications
DIAL
Metallized sapphire crystal, zebra motif, engraved and inked, white varnish, rose gold applied Breguet numerals.
CASE
Rose gold * Dimensions : 28.6 x 40.85 mm. Thickness: 7.36 mm. Water-resistant to 30m. Solid case back.
GEMSETTING
Case: 94 spessartites, “cognac” to “mandarine” tones (2.02 cts).
STRAP
Calfskin, satinated finish, brushed white. Rose gold prong buckle.
MOVEMENT
E15 Quartz * Dimensions: 15 x 13 mm. Thickness: 2.07 mm. Number of parts: 57. Number of jewels: 6. Quartz frequency: 32,768 Hz. Power source: Silver oxyde battery 1.55 V. Battery life (new): approximately 3 years.
