Watches

Patek Philippe Unveils the Gondolo Ladies First in Milan

By Jacqueline Chelliah01 octobre 2026

Patek Philippe used its Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Milan to unveil the new Gondolo Ladies First collection, a contemporary and colourful interpretation of one of the manufacture’s most emblematic women’s watches.

The Gondolo Ladies First model is powered by Patek Philippe’s E15 quartz calibre (Patek Philippe)

The launch takes place as part of the largest Grand Exhibition ever organised by Patek Philippe, held at CityOval in Milan’s CityLife district. Spanning more than 2,900 square metres, the exhibition brings together more than 500 timepieces and objects, offering an extensive journey through the manufacture’s history, craftsmanship and contemporary collections.

Following previous editions in Munich, New York and Tokyo, the seventh edition of the exhibition is both a tribute to Patek Philippe’s heritage and an exploration of the full breadth of the manufacture’s expertise, while celebrating its enduring connection with Geneva.

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Beyond the watches themselves, the exhibition features a space entirely dedicated to the company’s archives and family heritage. The journey also includes a room where visitors can meet an enameller, who proudly explains how she mixes colours and creates pieces that can sometimes require up to a month of work. A guillocheur gives visitors the opportunity to try a machine dating back to the 1880s, while sharing his passion for his craft and profession — a kind of expertise that no artificial intelligence could ever replace.

On Wednesday, the Geneva manufacture’s emblematic president, Thierry Stern, and Laura Gervasoni, Director of the italian market, presented six new Gondolo Ladies First models. The brand’s president also took the opportunity to introduce his son to the guests in attendance — an official gesture signalling that Patek Philippe’s continuity within the family is assured.

Diamonds, colour and quartz

Inspired by the celebrated 2009 Ladies First Chronograph, Reference 7071, the collection revisits the Gondolo silhouette, rooted in Art Deco aesthetics, while giving it a distinctly contemporary character.

Three models feature diamond-set dials, with 108 stones tracing the outer flange of opaline dials decorated with a concentric wave pattern. Blue-grey, chestnut and silvery tones are paired with calfskin straps in complementary shades.

On the three Joaillerie versions, the dials, cases and lugs are adorned with a total of 687 brilliant-cut diamonds. Blue topaz, green tsavorite and purple amethyst hour markers add vivid touches of colour, echoed by the matching alligator straps.

The Gondolo Ladies First models are powered by Patek Philippe’s E15 quartz calibre. The movement receives the same attention to finishing as the manufacture’s mechanical calibres, while 80% of its components are manufactured using the same processes as those used for mechanical movements.

Key points:

- Six new Gondolo Ladies First watches revisit the iconic 2009 design.

- Up to 687 diamonds, combined with colourful gemstones, adorn the Joaillerie models.

- Milan hosts the world premiere, as part of the largest Watch Grand Exhibition ever organised by Patek Philippe.

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