Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

New York, Grand Havana Room, Mar 19, 2003

LOT 104

International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, "Il Destriero Scafusia", No. 2/125. Produced in a limited edition of 125 examples and the first watch of this edition to enter the market in 1993.Extremely fine and rare, oversized, astronomic, minute-repeating, 18K pink gold gentleman's wristwatch with square button split-seconds chronograph, registers, perpetual calendar and moon phases, flying one-minute tourbillon regulator and an 18K pink gold International Watch Co. buckle. Accompanied by an original fitted box and setting pin.

USD 140,000 - 180,000

EUR 130,000 - 170,000

Sold: USD 167,500

C .three-body, solid, polished, transparent case back with 6 screws and peripheral engraving, curved lugs, sapphire crystals. D. satiné silver with painted radial Roman numerals, sunk guilloché auxiliary dials for the seconds, the 12 hour and 30 minute registers, the days of the month, of the week, the months, apertures for the moon phases and the 4-digit year. "Feuille" blued steel hands.M. Cal. 1868, hand engraved, gilt brass, 76 jewels, lateral lever escapement with titanium escapement bridge, one-minute flying tourbillon regulator with titanium cage and 3 equidistant arms, monometallic balance adjusted for heat, cold and 6 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, repeating on gongs by activating slide on the band.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 42 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3
Movement: 1
Dial: 1 - 01

Notes

A true work of art, the "Destriero" was especially developed to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the International Watch Co. in Schaffhausen in 1993. Produced in a limited edition of 125 examples in yellow gold, rose gold and platinum, roughly 107 pieces of this edition had been finished by mid 2000, with the remaining to be produced at a maximum rate of 6 each year until 2004. The Cal. 1868 contains no less than 750 parts, individually manufactured, handfinished and adjusted in order to ensue minimal friction and the harmonious interaction of its 22 complex functions and displays. Like the "Da Vinci", it is the only perpetual calendar watch with a 4-digit display for the year, an IWC exclusive.IWC also holds a patent on the minute repeater slide mechanism - built to protect the movement from moisture and dust, a problem sometimes associated with less sophisticated slides. For the tourbillon mechanism alone, almost 100 tiny parts had to be made of a total weight of merely 0.296 gram. The innovative use of non-magnetic and lightweight titanium for the cage ensures an unrivaled standard of accuracy. A true masterpiece, the "Destrio" is assembled and regulated with utmost care as one woulexpect from this reputable maker.For a note on International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, see next lot.