Gondolo

[elau1958]

The newer model fetches quite a price tag but it appears the line is not as popular as others. Is it because of it's rectangle shape?

[Pw92676]

Simply just less desirable amongst the general community. Don’t let the secret out avoit Gondolo/Ellipse, lots of amazing ‘value’ buys in these lines.

[vitalsigns]

Gondolo (incl. rectangular/square/etc.) shapes have always been less popular. For business reasons, Patek needs to price them the same or similar as an equivalent round piece, but they do take a price beating in the secondary market.

[Vasco]

Yes, just a less popular shape but still very interesting models.

The 5200 has the 8 days PR and one of the very few to get the Pulsomax feature (escapement wheel and anchor in Silinvar appearing in the 5450). Furthermore, it has instantaneous calendar indications (very rare among Pateks). It's quite big though with 46.9mm from 12 to 6.

The 5024/5124 are nice elegant watches as well (especially the 5024G with its Salmon dial).

They're nice to have inside a collection (not in the official catalogue anymore, it's become a ladies family now).

[Gebbeth]

I think they are amazing looking watches, and stand out amongst all the round shaped cases that Patek churns out year after year.

The two main issues I see with the watch, especially the annual calendar models, is that they are really big. The lugs are also drilled somewhat in the middle, so the ends of the lugs tend to jut out a bit from the pivot point of the strap. It might look odd on a thinner wrist.

With a size of 42mm by 38mm for the annual calendar, and a more rectangular/tonneau shaped case, it wears big.

The final thing is the movement was obviously not designed with the case in mind. I think it's Patek's workhorse Calibre 324S QA LU 24H movement, which is in a lot of other annual calendar models. Had they made a movement architecture that filled out the case, it would have made the model look more harmonious as one integrated design. Just my opinion.

But I think it's a bargain and well worth it if you got the wrist. I liken this to the ALS Cabaret, which is also not a favored design. If anything the Cabaret is better in that the movement is custom designed for the case, although it's not an automatic nor an annual calendar.

[Hendrikus]

The 5124G, salmon dial, is an incredible value proposition.

[amateurcollector]

Originally Posted by Hendrikus

The 5124G, salmon dial, is an incredible value proposition.

This is a great piece. Salmon dial, breguet numerals, thin. John Mayer has this exact piece:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfo7bGvM...on_share_sheet