Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong - Kong, Oct 09, 2010

LOT 402

Gubelin-Daners ? Le Colosse de Rhodes Gübelin & Richard Daners, "Bras en l'Air, Le Colosse de Rhodes", No. 2/7, case No. 224881. Made in a limited edition of 7 pieces in 1991. Extremely rare and very fine, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with ?bras en l?air? time indication and an 18K yellow gold Gubelin buckle.

HKD 150,000 - 230,000

USD 20,000 - 30,000 / EUR 15,000 - 23,000

Sold: HKD 175,000

C. Two-body, polished and brushed, stepped bezel, concave lugs, button at 9 for the bras en l?air, back with 6 screws. D. Engraved silver and gold with engraved Arabic numerals and with gold raised figure depicting the Colossus of Rhodes, the time indicated by pressing the button at 9 o'clock causing the figures arms to rise and point the hours and minutes engraved on the dial, unique added complication to allow the arms to remain in the upright position after releasing button thereby enabling hands to indicate time continuously. M. Cal. G7017, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration,17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 2 positions, self-compensating flat balance spring. Case and movement signed Gubelin & RD. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 8 mm


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 2

Very good

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch was conceived by Richard Daners in 1990 with first production in 1991, only 4 pieces with the dial " Colosse de Rhodes" were sold through Gübelin. The mechanism and dial are completely hand crafted in Gübelin's Lucerne workshop. The "Bras en l'Air" complication was previously used only on pocket watches.
The Colossus of Rhodes was the bronze statue of Helios in Rhodes, which for its size came to be reckoned among the the wonders of the world. It was made from the spoils left by Demetrius Poliorcetes when he raised the prolonged siege of Rhodes. The sculptor was Chares, a native of Lindus and of the school of Lysippus, under whose influence, the art of sculpture was led to the production of colossal figures by preference. The work occupied him for twelve years, it is said, and the finished statue stood 70 cubits high. It stood near the harbour, but at what point is not certain. When, and from what grounds the belief arose that it had stood across the entrance to the harbour, with a beacon light in its hand and ships passing between the legs, is not known, but the belief was current as early as the 16th century. The statue was destroyed by an earthquake about the year 224 B.C. The statue stood for about 56 years.