100 Years of Wristwatches

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 19, 2000

LOT 371

Universal Genève, 'Golden Janus Cabriolet'. Production of a series of 10 unique commemorative pieces,made expressly for the 100th Anniversary of Universal, in April 1994.Very fine rectangular, double-face, two time zone with diurnal and nocturnal indication, jumping-hour,date, platinum and 18K pink gold 'cabriolet' gentleman's wristwatch. Accompanied by a stainless steel andpink gold Universal deployant clasp. Accompanied by original fitted box.

CHF 18,000 - 20,000

USD 10,200 - 11,500

Sold: CHF 18,975

C. three-body, solid, polished, outer case in platinum, on the top lug, at 12 o'clock, rotating system for the'cabriolet', on the back, the Universal Watch logo and the engraved effigy of 'Janus', inside, the inscription '100ans de tradition horlogère, 1894-1994, Modèle unique'. Inner case in 18K pink gold, bearing two crowns on oneside for the separation of the functions, and one on the other side to adjust all the functions of both dials, screwedbars. At 6 o'clock, a platinum bolt engraved on one side : 1894 and on the other one : 1994, serving at the sametime to fix the inner case to the platinum body. D. on one side, two-tone silver dial with applied pink gold Romannumerals. 'Feuille' pink gold hands. On the other side, matte and guilloché silver, on the 12, off-center dial withpainted gold Arabic numerals and indexes for the minutes and the seconds, aperture for the jumping-hour; on the9, aperture for the diurnal and nocturnal hours; on the 6, auxiliary dial for the days of the month. M. 8 3/4''' cal.42, rhodium plated, 17 jewels, lever escapement, Glucidur balance adjusted to 3 positions, Incabloc system, self-compensatingflat balance spring.Dial, case, and movement signed.Dim. 26.5 x 43 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 1

As new

Movement: 1*

As new

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 1 - 01

Notes

This 'cabriolet' watch is inspired by the model created by Universal in the 1920's, the rotation system of which is verysimilar.Four out of the 10 examples produced were presented at the thematic auction '100 Years Universal' on April 9, 1994,lots 148, 149, 150, and 151.Janus was a deity in Roman Mythology. The god of portals, but also of entrances and exits, of beginnings and endings,he has become through the ages the symbol of the passing of time.He gave his name to the month of January. According to certain traditions, he was the greatest of gods. His temple wasopened in times of war and closed in times of peace. Janus is usually represented with two heads in profile, right andleft. Like the ancient Roman two-faced god, the 'Janus' by Universal has two faces as well.