Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

Geneva, Mar 29, 2009

LOT 402

Limited Edition No.8 - Maserati Anniversary - Millenary MC12 Tourbillon & Chronograph Audemars Piguet, Genève, "Millenary - Maserati Anniversary ? MC12 Tourbillon and Chronograph?, No. 008/150, movement No. 678215, case No. F 94778, Ref. 26069PT. Made in a limited edition of 150 pieces in 2006 to commemorate the success of the Maserati MC12 in the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers? Cup, sold on December 24, 2006. Extremely fine and very rare, horizontal oval, water-resistant, platinum wristwatch with twin white gold and palladium alloy barrels, black carbon movement with blue anodised aluminium bridges, 10-day power reserve, visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, oval-button chronograph, register, tachometer and a platinum Audemars Piguet deployant clasp. Accompanied by the fitted box, certificate of origin, certificate of authenticity and exclusivity and booklet.

CHF 235,000 - 350,000

USD 200,000 - 300,000 / EUR 160,000 - 235,000

C. Two-body, ?bullhead?, polished and brushed, stepped bezel, recessed winding crown, button at 10 for the start/stop function of the chronograph, button at 2 for the return-to-zero function, fluted lugs, transparent case back with 6 screws, sapphire crystals. D. Off-center, openwork to display the movement, two-tone silver with carbon-fiber inserts, blue painted hour, minute and seconds divisions, outer blue tachometer scale on a radial engine-turned ring, power-reserve indication, subsidiary 30-minute register, visible tourbillon with blue anodised aluminium bridge, applied white gold Maserati ?Trident? symbol at 2. Luminous blued steel alpha hour and minute hands, red chronograph hand with black counterpoise. M. Cal. 2884, handfinished, black carbon mainplate, blue anodised aluminium bridges, 30 jewels, white gold and palladium alloy twin barrels, one-minute tourbillon regulator in a polished steel cage with three equidistant arms, lateral lever escapement, Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold and 5 positions, 21,600 vibrations per hour, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement and barrels signed. Dim. 42 x 47 mm. Thickness 16.2 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good

Movement: 2

Very good

Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is number 8 of the limited edition of 150 pieces and therefore the only No. 8 of this edition to be made. For the Chinese, the word for the number 8 sounds very similar to the word "to prosper" which is why any watch that is number 8 of a limited edition is always the ultimate piece for a collector.
Millenary MC12 Tourbillon & Chronograph Created in homage to Maserati and to one of its most beautiful racing cars, the Millenary MC12 tourbillon and chronograph is one of the classics of contemporary haute horology. Named in honour of the MC12, the car that marked Maserati?s return to highlevel motor sports competition.
The Audemars Piguet manufacture in Le Brassus is the official sponsor of the MC12 cars taking part in the GT competitions. In 2004, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Maserati, Audemars Piguet launched the Dual Time Millenary Maserati, this was then followed in 2006 by the present model made to commemorate the success of the Maserati MC12 in the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers? Cup.
Technical Specifications The Millenary MC12 tourbillon and chronograph incorporates several innovative and sophisticated horological inventions. The tourbillon comprises of 70 parts weighing a total of just 0.45 grams. The going train has double barrels giving an exceptional 10-day (240 hour) power-reserve, the barrels are made from a special alloy of white gold and palladium which reduces the loss of energy due to friction usually caused by the action of the springs against the barrel. The barrels are rapid rotating giving a constant force during operation. The mainplate of the movement is made from carbon and the bridges from anodised aluminium.