Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

New York, Dec 15, 2015

LOT 78

BREITLING MILLE MIGLIA CHRONOGRAPH FOR GIGI VILLORESI GIFTED FROM FERRARI 1951 YELLOW GOLD Breitling Genève, Mille Miglia, case No. 755123. Made in 1950. Fine and rare, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, tachometer, telemeter and a gold-plated Breitling buckle.

USD 10,000 - 15,000

HKD 78,000 - 116,000 / CHF 10,000 - 15,000

Sold: USD 16,250

Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, concave lugs, snap-on case back engraved: "Gigi Villoresi1951." Matte silver with applied yellow gold Arabic numerals, baton and round indexes, subsidiary dials for the seconds and the 45-minute register, outer tachometer and telemeter scales. Yellow gold alpha hands. Cal.188, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight- line lever escapement, monometallic balance, blued steel flat balance spring.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 37 mm. THICKNESS 13 mm. This example was presented to LUIGI "GIGI" VILLORESI (1909-1977) by FERRARI commemorating his victory at the MILLE MIGLIA race on April 28-29, 1951. Gigi had an illustrious driving career starting in the early 1930's in his native country Italy, and moved his way up to becoming a well-respected GRAND PRIX driver, actively participating between 1950 and 1956. For the Mille Miglia race in 1951, he drove one of the four racing cars produced by Ferrari for that particular race, and he chose the FERRARI 340 AMERICA BERLINETTA VIGNALE model. While Enzo Ferrari firmly believed an open car was the key to winning the Mile Miglia races, Gigi with much perseverance convinced Ferrari to produce a coupe model to minimize the noise while he was driving for multiple hours. He completed the race in 12 hours, 50 minutes, and 18 seconds; 20 minutes faster than Bracco who had finished in second place. It is a rare opportunity to acquire this historical piece for any racing enthusiasts and vintage car collectors alike.