Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Hong Kong, Hotel Furama Kempinski, Jun 09, 1997

LOT 208

Universal Geneve, "Golden Janus Cabriolet", series of 150 unique commemorative pieces, produced for the 100th Anniversary of Universal, in April 1994. Very fine rectangular, two time-zone with diurnal and nocturnal indication, jumping-hour, platinum and 18K pink gold "cabriolet" gentleman's wristwatch with fitted box, magnifying glass and certificate.

HKD 85,000 - 100,000

USD 11,000 - 13,000

Sold: HKD 92,000

C. massive, 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 effigy of "Janus", inside, the dedication : "100 ans de tradition horlogere, 1894-1994, Modele 125/150 ". Inner case in 18K pink gold, bearing two crowns on one side for the separation of the functions, and one on the other side to adjust all the functions of both dials, screwed bars. At 6 o'clock, a pink gold bold engraved on one side : 1894 and on the other one : 1994, serving in the same time to fix the inner case to the platinum body. D. on one side, polished and satined silver with applied pink gold Roman numerals. "Feuille" pink gold hands. On the other side, polished and satined silver with auxiliary dials with painted Arabic numerals for the minutes and the seconds, aperture for the jumping-hour and the diurnal and nocturnal hours. M. 8 3/4"' cal. 42, rhodium plated, 17 jewels, lever escapement, Glucidur balance adjusted to 3 positions, Incabloc system, self-compensating flat balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. In excellent condition. Dim. 26.5 x 43 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Notes

Janus was an ancient Deity of Roman Mythology, God of the doors, but also of the entrances and the exits, protecting the travel from one place to another; literally and symbolically Janus has become, through the times, the God of the passing from a ti me to another. He gave his name to the month of January. Some traditions imply that he was the greatest among the Gods. His temple was opened during wars and closed during peace time. Janus is usually represented with two heads in profile, turned right and left. Such as the God with two faces, venerated at the time of Antique Rome, the "Janus" by Universal has two faces as well. This "cabriolet" watch is inspired by the model created by Universal in the 1920's, the rotation system of which is very similar.