Vintage Patek Philippe Gondolo ca 1960s

[Dedot]

I inherited a 1965 Patek Philippe Gondolo black dial with white gold mesh bracelet from my late father about 20 years ago. When he passed away, I was still in my teens years and couldn't care less about watch so I asked my mom to keep it for me. I wore a funky Swatch and it was good enough for me.

Fast forward 20 yrs later, I was on holidays with my family and stayed at my mom place. A few days ago, she was organizing her safe and stumble upon this time piece and gave it to me. I have completely forgotten about this watch and glad that I have found it again.

The condition of the watch was not the best but I believe with overhaul and dial restoration or dial change, this watch will be quite a knockout time piece. The only thing that I notice is the mold aound the edge of the dial. The white gold mesh bracelet is still good condition.

I have a few questions for vintage lover out there:
1. Is possible to remove the mold around the edge of the dial or better replace the whole dial. If so, is it possible to replace a 40+yr dial with the same one?
2. Do you recommend to sent it to Patek Philippe service center or a trustworthy local vintage watchmaker would be enough to do the restoration job?
3. Lastly, anyone know what the cost of restoring vintage watch as such?

I apologize that I can't upload the picture from my browser to the forum because I don't have the apps in my IPad.

Sorry for a rather lengthy post but hoping someone can steer me to the right direction..

Thanks.

3.

[topcat30093]

For something this precious, as your father's watch and the fact that it has not probably not been serviced for anything between 20-30 years, I would most definitely return it back to Patek.
For a start they guarantee to be able to repair any Patek, they will return it back to you, albeit many months later, looking like the day that it was made.

And surely that is what you would wish for, in what is now a huge family heirloom.

But, I must warn you that the cost of a service and the replacement of any parts, will not be cheap.........But would be worth it.

[salem65]

I totally recommend sending it back to Patek. I have had bad experiences with "mall-based sudo-watchmakers". One practically destroyed my pocket watch just trying to replace the battery; he handed it back to me in pieces, then put some scotch tape on it to hold it together. Took it to a dealer and he fixed it, like new, in a few minutes, for free. Another one put the wrong o-ring in my diver and, next time I was diving it flooded.
For something as valuable as your father's watch, I would take no risk.

[Dedot]

Thanks for the feedback. Planning to drop it off at the singapore service centre in a few days. Eager to see the cost of restoration.

[drtooth73]

If there is a reliable watchmaker in your city, my recommendation, again, is to at least show them the watch, and hear what they say. I have a good relationship with a local Detroit watch guy, who gets referral from local AD's. I'd rather let him work on my watch, and have it back in a week(if no OEM parts need to be ordered).
But like others mentioned to you here and elsewhere, take it to an authorized Patek center for evaluation as well for comparison.

[Ranfni]

Send it back to Patek. Do not take any chances. They will use genuine parts.

[asadtiger]

Patek prides itself on being able to return ANY watch made by them...and they've been making watches for centuries so its not just a tall claim but an achievement.I would prefer to send it back to Patek as it is a sentimental cum precious watch that deserves to be restored to original.any one else's work will make the watch less valuable as an item too so why destroy a good thing

good luck with a great watch..hope you enjoy many healthy years with it.

[mitchy]

this thread is usless without pics.
your father had great taste in watches. def send it into petek :D asap!

[Dedot]

Hi All,

Thanks for the reply. I just got back from a few weeks trip and wasnt managed to upload photo through iPad.

Anyways, I uploaded the watch. Also, I received price qoute from Patek Geneva for the overhaul service and its restoration. it's a massive $4,000 and takes about 35 wks.

I am on the fence about fixing it, what do guys advise since some of you are the watch guru here??

Looking forward to see some of your inputs.

[johnbeth]

4K to make the watch brand new. History and family heirloom thats priceless!

[johnswatch]

It's a lot of money but probably less than I expected.

Is it a full overhaul including dial, case and band restoration?

If so I'd go for it. if it's simply a fancy service then it's way over the top and I'd find a good local watchmaker with experience of working on the high-end pieces.

If it comes back looking like it left the factory then it's worth it in my opinion.

Besides - it's a very distinctive and good looking watch that's begging to be worn.

[Dedot]

Thanks all for the replies, I'm still waiting to hear if they can adjust on the pricing but this is what will be included in the overhaul & movement restoration service:

Disassembly and examination of all components
Cleaning & replacement of basic movement parts
Regulation and timing of the movement
Encasing
Full Quality Control according to our specifications
Dial – Satin finish – glided sunray 12 black painted sticks
Sapphire Glass
Barrel Bridge
Case and bracelet polishing
Replacement of Hour-minute hands

So it looks like it's going to be like a brand new watch again.

[Dedot]

Finally heard back from Patek and was able to get a little bit of discounts. Yay!

So I'm going through with the service and really hoping in 35wks time, I will get a sparkle cool vintage watch. Thanks all for the replies. Cheers!

[kirishima]

I don't know if that watch would be worth much more than $4000- even once repaired. You should have gone to an independant watchmaker.... not a shopping centre battery jocky but a true watchmaker.....

Just my 2 cents

[Dedot]

Just to give an update, the watch is back and it looks brand new!! Have to say that i dont have any regret restoring this beauty.

[cedargrove]

Wow! Looks great. Enjoy it.

[Bmonroy17]

AWESOME ! congrats on getting back a very cool timepiece

[dddrees]

Awesome, looks good as new.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by Dedot

Just to give an update, the watch is back and it looks brand new!! Have to say that i dont have any regret restoring this beauty.

It looks like new.

All the better with it being of so much sentimental value to you.

[capote]

Wow! Quite the restoration, but why did they switch to a white dial?

[drockadam]

Very nice!

[perpetualman88]

wow what a restoration . I guess its true; you get what you pay for.

[Dedot]

Thank you all for compliments. It really means something to me having my late father watch on my wrist.

Originally Posted by capote

Wow! Quite the restoration, but why did they switch to a white dial?

I was asking the same thing when i picked up the watch. They said that the dial was badly discoloured and oxidised. The original dial was silver colour. I guess that will do when you keep a watch for 20 yrs in a safe.

[brkanand]

Congratulations on restoring and holding on to this watch. Your father would have approved if he were to be there! A job well done. Enjoy!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Beautiful watch, I hope you wear it in good health and I think it's great to have sent it back to Patek Philippe (I would have done the same thing).

[liptonnr]

Unbelievable watch! Great vintage piece! 

[rad87gn]

WOW! They did a nice job on the restore! Congrats! Just crazy how much they charge and how long it takes. But Patek is for sure a great company by being able to service any watch they make pretty much forever.

[Dickson Lim]

Originally Posted by Dedot

Thank you all for compliments. It really means something to me having my late father watch on my wrist.



I was asking the same thing when i picked up the watch. They said that the dial was badly discoloured and oxidised. The original dial was silver colour. I guess that will do when you keep a watch for 20 yrs in a safe.

Kinda weird that the black index turns white and the white dial turns black.

[johnswatch]

Originally Posted by Dickson Lim

Kinda weird that the black index turns white and the white dial turns black.

I would assume (hope) that the dial had been refinished black many years ago.

Did they give you an extract from the archives with it? That would state the original dial colour.

It does look fantastic though, congratulations.