Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 05, 2007

LOT 390

Grande Complication Gérald Genta, Geneva, No. 1, Ref. GGM1, produced in a very few examples in 1996. Exceptionally fine and equally important, self-winding double-train, water-resistant platinum wristwatch with Westminster chime, Grande et Petite Sonnerie and silent display, four gongs and four hammers, minute-repeating, 12-hour fly-back hand with revolving 60-minute indication, 48-hour power reserve indicator for the striking and the going trains, and one-minute tourbillon regulator in fully engraved movement, and a platinum Gérald Genta deployant clasp.

USD 150,000 - 200,000

EUR 100,000 - 140,000

Sold: USD 350,000

C. Two-body, truncated-cone shaped stepped octagonal, tapered at the top, glazed back with sapphire crystal secured by bolts, curly lugs, Genta-type winding crown, similar ones for silent/striking at 11 o'clock, Grande or Petite Sonnerie at 7 o'clock and push button for repeater activation at 9 o'clock, winding crown for adjusting the calendar and 12-hour indication at 3 o'clock. D. Pale blue "guilloché" mother-of-pearl, tritium dot hour markers, four subsidiary sectors for the going train, up-ad-down indications, Grande or Petite Sonnerie, and silent or striking indications. White gold "arrow" hands for the sectors, triangular tritium-coated hand for the hours, aperture for the revolving 60 minutes. M. 31.5 mm. (14'''), stamped with the Geneva Quality Hallmark, engraved with grape motifs and rhodiumed, 57 jewels, three-arm polished steel tourbillon carriage, lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance with screws, self-compensating flat balance spring, two-directional rotor windinggoing train in one direction and striking train in the other, tandem winding. Signed on dial, case and movement. Diam. 39 mm., thickness 15 mm. Property of Various Owners


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 2

Very good

Movement: 2

Very good

Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

In 1996, Gérald Genta created a small series using ultra-sophisticated movements, featuring the caliber 31.5 (14'''), but with a different retrograde display for the hours revolving for the minutes. Today, this type of display has inspired many other manufacturers in the creation of retrograde fly-back hour watches. It remains one of the most complicated wristwatches in the world.