Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 11, 2019

LOT 96

IWC, REF. 5241, PORTUGUESE SKELETON MINUTE REPEATER, WHITE GOLD

CHF 20,000 - 40,000

HKD 160,000 - 320,000 / USD 20,000 - 40,000

Sold: CHF 30,000

Very fine and rare, oversized, skeletonized, minute-repeating, 18K white gold wristwatch. Made in a limited edition of 50 pieces circa 2005.


Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 01

HANDS Original

Brand IWC, Portuguese

Reference 5241

Year Circa 2005

Calibre  95911

Case No. 3080893 18/50

Bracelet Original IWC 18K white gold deployant clasp

Dimensions 43 mm

Signature Case, Dial and Movement.

Accessories IWC box

Notes

A minute repeating watch tells the time both visually and audibly. A slide on the side of the case, usually near the 9, will activate two hammers in the movement. These hammers strike two gongs curled within the case. First, one hammer strikes a gong of lower tonality; it will count out the hours. Then both hammers will strike both gongs alternatively to count out the quarter hours after that hour, and then the second hammer alone striking a gong of higher tonality will count out the minutes after that quarter hour. The repeating mechanism was developed by Daniel Quare. In 1687, he patented a mechanism that sounded the hours and the quarter hours. The early repeaters used bells. At the end of the 18th century, two bent-wire gongs became the more popular mechanism. In 1892, the first minute repeater wristwatch was produced by Omega, a model with a round-shaped case.