Important Collectors Wristwatches, Po...
Geneva, Nov 14, 2009
LOT 305
Unique Santa Claus Alain Silberstein, "Tourbillon à Cadran en Email Cloisonné - Santa Claus", No. 1/1. Unique piece produced for himself, Christmas 1999. Extremely fine and unique, water-resistant, 18K sand-finished yellow gold wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator and cloisonné enamel dial made by master enameler Michel Vermot.
CHF 50,000 - 70,000
USD 50,000 - 70,000 / EUR 35,000 - 47,000
C. "Empire" style, two-body, polished and brushed, solid, transparent case back with screws, black triangularand gold star-shaped winding-crown, sapphire crystal, straight lugs. D. Polychrome cloisonné enamel, representing Santa Claus on a sled loaded with presents, pulled by two reindeer traveling through the clouds, at the bottom, a semi-circular aperture showing the tourbillon cage with three arms. Triangular and baton tritium-coated sand-finished gold hour and minute hands. M. Cal. 387, rhodium-plated, 21 jewels, one-minute tourbillon regulator, lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring. Case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 2 |
Very good |
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 collaborators- among 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.