Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...
Hong Kong, Jun 27, 2009
LOT 107
Johannes Durrstein Flying Tourbillon No. 7 Uhrenfabrik Union Glashutte i/SA, ?Johannes Durrstein No. 3 Flying Tourbillon?, No. 07/50, Ref. 45.01.01.01.09. Made in a limited edition of 50 pieces, circa 2000. Extremely fine and rare, cushion-shaped, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with visible Union one-minute flying tourbillon and an 18K yellow gold Union buckle.
HKD 130,000 - 200,000
USD 20,000 - 30,000 / EUR 13,000 - 20,000
Sold: HKD 204,000
C. Two-body, cushion-shaped, polished, curled lugs, transparent back with 8 screws, sapphire crystals. D. White with wave pattern, small meantime dial in the lower half with bold Arabic quarter-hour numerals, outer minute track, the upper half with aperture for the flying tourbillon, seconds track at the edge with blued steel pointer fixed to the tourbillon cage, applied curved signature cartouches. Blued steel alpha hands. M. Union calibre 45, frosted gold-plated, 2 diamond and 18 ruby jewels, some in screwed gold chatons, lateral lever escapement with one-minute flying tourbillon regulator, polished steel Union-type cage with three equidistant serpentine arms, monometallic balance with gold temperature adjustment screws, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, diamond endstone. Dial, movement and case signed. Dim. 36 x 36 mm. Thickness 11.5 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 2 |
Very good |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Notes
Flying Tourbillon. As opposed to regular tourbillon regulators in which the carriage is fitted in a plate and secured by a bridge, in flying tourbillons, the lower bearing of the carriage is fitted in the plate in the regular way, the upper bearing is fitted beneath the carriage, and the carriage is built around a free (flying) arbor. On the top of the carriage, there are neither pivot nor bridge.
Union In 1883, the Dresden watch wholesaler, Johannes Durrstein realised that in times of financial hardship only a very small number of his clients could afford the fine and expensive original Glashütte watches. This led to his establishing the Präzisions- Taschenuhrenfabrik UNION Glashütte in Sachsen, where he made fine precision watches and everyday watches of modest price. Even today, this traditional company makes watches that represent the highest level of German watchmaking and that are entirely conceived and made in Glashütte.