Measuring approximately 30 x 38 mm, the case has a beautifully balanced rectangular profile, with softly curved sides and a stepped bezel that gives the watch considerable depth without making it feel overly formal. Inside is the manually wound Patek Philippe Calibre 215, a beautifully proportioned movement that suits the restrained character of the case particularly well.

This example is crafted in 18k white gold and features the highly distinctive salmon-coloured dial. Its pure salmon colour has retained its original warmth and evenness, giving the watch a particularly warm presence against the cool tone of the white gold case. The dial is complemented by applied white gold Arabic numerals, matching hands and a subsidiary seconds indication, creating a combination that is both elegant and distinctly characteristic of this period of Patek Philippe.

The 'Sigma' signed salmon dial is perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of this particular Gondolo. Rather than relying on the more conventional white or silver-toned dials often encountered on the Ref. 5024, the warm salmon colour gives the watch considerably more personality while remaining remarkably understated. Its colour has also aged particularly well, retaining a pleasing depth and evenness without the pronounced UV-related discolouration sometimes encountered on salmon-coloured dials of this era.

What makes the Ref. 5024 particularly interesting today is its place within the development of the modern Gondolo. It predates the later, more contemporary interpretations of the collection and retains a distinctly 1990s Patek Philippe character. The proportions are elegant rather than oversized, while the stepped case and curved profile give it a presence that is immediately recognisable without being conventional.

Adding an extra element of versatility, this Gondolo comes with three different styles of hand-buffed Pamplona leather straps, each made to complement the watch in its own way. Few things change the personality of a watch as effortlessly as a different strap, allowing this Patek Philippe to move from understated and classic to more contemporary or relaxed simply by changing the colour and texture of the leather.

The combination of its sculptural white gold case, exceptionally attractive pure salmon dial, manually wound Calibre 215 and distinctly Art Deco-inspired proportions makes this Ref. 5024/1 a particularly appealing example of Patek Philippe's early modern Gondolo collection. It is a watch that sits comfortably between Patek Philippe's historic shaped-watch tradition and the maison's more contemporary interpretation of the Gondolo, with a character that rewards a closer loo