Important Watches

Geneva, Mar 20, 2010

LOT 402

H.W. Platinum Opus V Harry Winston and Felix Baumgartner, ?Opus V?, No. 11/45, case No. 017668. 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 very rare, heavy, water-resistant, platinum wristwatch with ?satellite hour? display, retrograde minutes, 122-hour power reserve, day and night indicator and a platinum Harry Winston buckle. Accompanied by a fitted box and certificate.

CHF 150,000 - 220,000

USD 140,000 - 200,000 / EUR 100,000 - 150,000

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 ?gullwing opening?, case secured by four specific screws, sapphire crystal. D. Silvered sablé finish with off-center ?satellite hour? display with luminous green Arabic numerals on three revolving blocks, triangular luminous green retrograde pointer for the minutes, moving over a 120 degree counter, power reserve indicator, day and night indication. M. Mechanical with a base plate crafted from ARCAP P40, straight-line lever escapement, 21,600 vibrations per hour, monometallic balance, self-compensating balance spring. Case, dial and movement signed. Dim 46 x 41 mm. Thickness 15 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3-8

Good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is from the Opus V line, made in a limited edition of 100 examples. This limited edition was produced as follows: - 45 examples in pink gold - 45 examples in platinum - a platinum set with white full-cut diamonds in 7 examples - a platinumset with white baguette-cut diamonds in 3 examples The Opus V This watch is an 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 unveiled at the 2005 Baselworld. The watch features an off-center movement with ?satellite hour? display reminiscent of the ?wandering hour? displays found in some early pocket watches. This consisted of a semi-circular opening around which the minutes 0 to 60 were marked and an aperture to indicate the hours. In the ?satellite hour? display of the Opus V, there are 3 separate blocks, carrying 4 numerals each, which indicate the hour while spinning around two axes.
The blocks are arranged like satellites on a 3-dimensional rotating front system. Meanwhile, the minutes are indicated by a retrograde triangular minute hand or pointer, which moves over a 120 degree counter. On the dial side, a day and night indicator is situated between 7 and 8. The power reserve, between 10 and 11, shows the remaining running time, i.e. the remaining energy of the mainspring. In the present case, it allows for continuous functioning of the watch for up to 5 days. The movement base plate and other parts are made from ARCAP P40, which offers more stability and strength than conventional brass constructions. ARCAP is copper and nickel alloy. Brass movements are usually rhodium-plated, but can also be gold or palladium-plated. The movement is micro-blasted and polished, giving it a sablé finish. The ?Service Indicator? on the case back has a scale graduated from 0 to 5 years to show when it is time for maintenance. There is also an index adjustment screw on the case back to allow the owner to finetune the watch to + or - 15 seconds per day. The Opus Line of Watches Harry Winston teamed up with talented independent watchmakers to create the Opus line. These limited series watches are jointly signed. They 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) Opus 7 Andreas Strehler (2007), Opus 8 Developed with Frédéric Garinaud & CSH (2008) Opus 9 Developed with Jean Marc Wiederrecht & Eric Giroud (2009).