Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 12, 1996

LOT 440

Universal Geneve, "Stellar Golden Janus Cabriolet", series of 5 unique pieces, produced in 1995. Very fine rectangular, two time-zone with diurnal and nocturnal indication, jumping-hour, platinum and 18K pink gold "cabriolet" gentleman's wristwatch, with fitted box and certificate.

CHF 30,000 - 35,000

C. massive, polished, outer case in platinum, on the top lug, at 12 o'clock, rotating system for the "cabriolet", on the back, the Universal Watch logo and the effigy of "Janus", inside, the dedication "100 ans de tradition horlogere, 1894-1994, Modele unique". Inner case in 18ct pink gold, bearing two crowns on one side for the separation of the functions, and one on the other side to adjust all the functions of both dials, screwed bars. At 6 o'clock, a platinum bolt engraved on one side : 1894 and on the other one 1994, serving in the same time to fix the inner case to the platinum body. D. enamelled on one side, with painted Arabic numerals and indexes. Feuille pink gold hands. On the other side, enamelled bearing two pink auxiliary dials with painted Arabic numerals and indexes for the minutes and the seconds, apertures for the jumping-hour and the diurnal and nocturnal hours. M. Cal. UG 42, rhodiumed, 17 jewels, lever escapement, Glucidur balance adjusted to 3 positions, Incabloc system, self-compensating flat balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. hl mint condition Dim. 26,5 x 43 mm.


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Notes

Janus was a Deity of the Ancient Roman Mythology, God of the doors but also of the entrances and the exits, protecting travel from one place to another, literally and symbolically has become, through the times, the God of the passing from a time to another. He gave his name to the month of January. Some traditions pretend that he was the greatest among the Gods. His temple was opened during wartime and closed during peace time. Janus is usually represented with two heads in profile, turned right and left. Such as the God with two faces venerated at the time of Ancient Rome, the "Janus" by Universal has two faces as well. This cabriolet watch is inspired by the model created by Universal in the 1920's, the rotation system of which is very similar.