MONTHLY WHEEL | Carlos Torres | Gondolo & Labouriau and Patek Philippe - The untold story of a legend

"The retailer Gondolo & Labouriau thrived between the 19th and 20th centuries, when Rio de Janeiro was the capital of the Brazilian Empire and rivaled Paris as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. From 1891 to 1935, the Italian-French partnership single-handedly established Patek Philippe's fame throughout the South American continent. At its peak, Gondolo & Labouriau was probably the most prolific watch retailer in the world, selling at least a third of Patek Philippe's annual turnover. However, after a prolonged international financial and social crisis, its downfall almost dragged Patek Philippe into the abyss, were it not for the timely acquisition by the Stern family in 1932. Today, the legacy of Gondolo & Labouriau lives on in the Patek Philippe Gondolo model line, having left a deeper mark than any other retailer in the manufacturer's history. In this special three-part series, Carlos Torres delves deeply into the complicated and fascinating story of the rise and fall of the legendary Brazilian retailer." in https://collectability.com