Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 63

Parmigiani Fleurier, "Ionica - Répétition Minute", Unique Piece No 4563. Produced in 2000. Extremely fine and rare, minute-repeating, tonneau-shaped, platinum gentleman's wristwatch with visible striking hammers on the case back and a platinum Parmigiani buckle and certificate.

CHF 100,000 - 130,000

EUR 67,000 - 87,000 / USD 78,000 - 100,000

Sold: CHF 179,500

C. three-body, solid, polished, geometrical decoration in red and black enamel on the case back with apertures showing the two repeater hammers striking the gongs, stepped and ribbed bezel, scrolled lugs, cabochon sapphire-set winding crown. D. "guilloché" white with applied white gold Breguet numerals, auxiliary "guilloché" second dial, "Javelin" burnished steel hands. M. 12 1/4''', stamped with the Geneva Quality Hallmark, rhodium-plated, "fausses-cotes" decoration, 33 jewels, straight line lver escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance-spring, repeater on gongs by means of a slide on the band.Dial and movement signed.Dim. 34 x 45 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

What is a Minute Repeater? A minute repeating watch tells the time both visually and audibly. A slide on the side of the case, usually near the #9, will activate two hammers in the movement. These hammers strike two gongs curled within the case. First one hammer strikes a gong of lower tonality; it will count out the hours. Then both hammers will strike both gongs alternatively to count out the quarter hours after that hour, and then the second hammer alone striking a gong of higher tonality will count out the minutes aft r that quarter hour. The repeating mechanism was developed by Daniel Quare. In 1687, he had patented a mechanism that sounded the hours and the quarter hours. The early repeaters used bells. At the end of the 18th century, two bent-wire gings became the more popular mechanism. In 1892, the first minute repeater wristwatch was produced by Omega, a model with a round-shaped case.