Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
New York - The Fuller Building, Dec 07, 2006
LOT 111
?Platinum Opus V? Harry Winston and Felix Baumgartner, ?Opus V?, No. 19/45, case No. 017676. The Opus V was made in a limited edition of 100 examples in 2005. Of these, 45 ? including the present one - were made in platinum (and without diamonds). Very fine and rare, water-resistant to 30 meters, platinum gentleman`s wristwatch with ?satellite hour? display, retrograde minutes, 122-hour power reserve, day and night indicator and a platinum Harry Winston buckle.
USD 100,000 - 120,000
EUR 78,000 - 93,600
Sold: USD 161,100
C. Two-body, solid, polished, lobed central lugs, ?Service indicator? measuring the operation of the movement over 5 years, index adjustment screw, click-spring crown protector with ?gull-wing opening?, case secured by four specific screws, sapphire crystal. D. Silvered sablé finish with off-center ?satellite hour? display with green Arabic numerals on three revolving blocks, triangular green retrograde pointer for the minutes, moving over a 120 degree counter, power reserve indicator, day and night indication. M. Mechanical with a baseplate crafted from ARCAP P40, straight-line lever escapement, 21,600 vibrations per hour, monometallic balance, selfcompensating balance spring. Case, dial and movement signed. Diam 50 mm. Thickness 15.2 mm.
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Grade: |
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Case: 1 |
As new |
Movement: 1 |
As new |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Notes
- - 45 examples in platinum
- - a platinum set with white full-cut diamonds in 7 examples
- - a platinum set with white baguette-cut diamonds in 3 examples
- The Opus V
The present watch is an excellent example of innovative modern watchmaking, combining cutting-edge horological design and functionality. Created in partnership between Harry Winstons`s Rare Timepieces` division and independent watchmaker Felix Baumgartner of Urwerk, the Opus V was first unveiled at the 2005 Baselworld. The watch features an off-centered movement with ?satellite hour? display and is reminiscent of the ?wandering hour? displays found in some early pocket watches. The latter consisted of a semi-circular opening around which the minutes zero to sixty were marked and an aperture to indicate the hours. In the case of the ?satellite hour? display found in the Opus V, there are three separate blocks, carrying four numerals each, which indicate the hour while being spun around two axes. The blocks are arranged like satellites on a three-dimensional rotating front system. Hence the name of the mechanism.
Meanwhile, the minutes are indicated by a retrograde triangular minute hand or pointer, which moves over a 120 degree counter. Also on the dial side is a day and night indicator, which is situated between seven and eight o`clock and helps the wearer of the watch to determine the correct half of the day. The power reserve, located between ten and eleven o`clock, shows the remaining running time, i.e. how much energy the mainspring still holds. In the present case, it allows for continuous functioning of the watch for up to five days. The movement baseplate and many other parts are crafted from ARCAP P40, which offers more stability and strength in comparison with conventional brass constructions. ARCAP is an alloy of copper and nickel. Brass movements are usually plated with rhodium, but also with gold or palladium. The movement is micro-blasted and then polished, giving it a sablé finish. Another interesting feature of the watch is the ?Service Indicator? on the case back, which is equipped with a scale graduated from 0 to 5 years to suggest when it might be time for maintenance. There is also an index adjustment screw on the case back for regulating the watch to time. It allows the owner of the watch to fine-tune his timepiece to plus or minus 15 seconds per day.
The Opus line of watches
In a bid to enhance appreciation of fine timepieces and promote horological advances, Harry Winston teamed up with some of the most talented independent watchmakers to create the Opus line of watches. These limited series watches are jointly signed. The type, the creative minds behind it and the year of launch are as follows: Opus 1 Francois-Paul Journe (2001)
Opus 2 Antoine Preziuso (2002)
Opus 3 Vianney Halter (2003)
Opus 4 Christophe Claret (2004)
Opus 5 Felix Baumgartner (2005)
Opus 6 (Robert) Greubel (and Stephen) Forsey (2006)