Important Collectors' Wristwtches, Po...

New York, Sep 26, 2007

LOT 180

"Tourbillon Volant? Alain Silberstein, Architecte Horloger, France, "Tourbillon Volant?, No. 9/9. Made in a limited edition of 9 pieces in 2004. Very fine, rare and unusual, self-winding, water-resistant, PVD-coated stainless steel wristwatch with visible one-minute flying tourbillon regulator, date, black composite strap and an Alain Silberstein PVD-coated stainless steel deployant clasp. Accompanied by a fitted box and manual.

USD 17,000 - 23,000

EUR 13,000 - 17,000

Sold: USD 28,320

C. Two-body, polished, straight lugs, transparent case back with 8 special screws, triangular winding crown with red enamel inlay, sapphire crystals. D. Black with moon and star symbols, applied outer ring dial with luminous hour markers and minute graduations, subsidiary dial for the date at 12, aperture for the tourbillon cage at 6. Multicolored geometrical hands. M. Cal. ASC 1.1 with fancy-shaped bridges, copper-colored, "fausses côtes" decoration, 23 jewels, lateral lever escapement with flying tourbillon regulator with polished steel arms, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness: 11 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3-9*

Good

Scratched

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

Alain Silberstein.
A born and bred Parisian, has an unusual background: trained as an interior architect and designer, he became a watch-architect when he created his own watchmaking firm in Besançon at the end of the 1980?s. At a time when the disappearance of mechanical watchmaking was considered inevitable, he joined the ranks of a very special group of Swiss makers who were behind the renaissance of the mechanical watch. In 1986 he received an award at the "Tokyo International Gift Show", and in 1988 he won a prize for his watch commemorating the French Revolution. In his workshop on the banks of the Doubs River, Alain Silberstein, along with his 20 collaboratorsamong them 6 watchmakers- creates and makes almost 3,000 mechanical watches per year. These are exceptional timekeepers, such as the tourbillon, the perpetual calendar, the sports chronograph watches, the watches with cloisonné dials, as well as jewelry watches. They are also watches that are resolutely contemporary, and that, while designed for everyday wear, are also works of art. The exceptional finish of the movements can be admired through the transparent case back. All of Alain Silberstein?s collections are produced in limited series. For several years, Alain Silberstein has specialized in setting diamonds in steel. This difficult technique requires exceptional accuracy in both the cutting and setting of the stones. The hardness of a diamond set in steel means that the watch conserves its personality while becoming a genuine piece of sports jewelry. Precious stones can be set in all Alain Silberstein watches upon request. In just a few years, Alain Silberstein has proven that research, innovation and quality can allow a French brand name to take its place alongside the famous Swiss watchmakers.