Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Nov 12, 2006

LOT 126

Panerai ?Jules Verne? Officine Panerai, Firenze 1860, ?Jules Verne? Luminor ?Sealand", No. HO 74/100, Ref. OP 6638, engraving by Purdey & Sons. Made in a limited edition of 100 examples in 2005 as a tribute to Jules Verne. Very fine and very rare, large, self-winding, water-resistant, chronometer, brushed stainless steel military-type diver's wristwatch with date, concealed dial and a stainless steel Panerai buckle. Accompanied by a fitted box and certificate.

CHF 17,000 - 22,000

EUR 11,000 - 14,000 / USD 14,000 - 18,000

Sold: CHF 21,240

C. Three-body, brushed, screwed-down case back engraved ?Jules Verne Limited Edition?, crown with patented security lever to wind the watch even under water, hinged steel cover engraved by hand with a scene of Jules Verne standing on a submarine holding a sextant, the interior inscribed ?Tribute to Jules Verne, 1905-2005?, anti-reflective sapphire crystal with magnifying lens. D. Black with applied Arabic 12 and 6, luminous dots, subsidiary "guilloché" seconds dial at 9, aperture for the date at 3. Luminous steel "baton" hands. M. Cal. OP III, rhodium-plated, bridges and oscillating weight personalized Panerai, 21 jewels, Glucydur balance, shock absorber, and self-compensating flat balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam: 44 mm. Thickness 17 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

James Purdey & Sons are London?s preeminent gun makers, designers and builders of fine English shotguns and sporting firearms, the company was founded in 1814 and has been making guns for England?s royalty and the world?s upper classes for over 190 years. Purdey & Sons? first royal commission, given by Queen Victoria, was for a pair of pistols which were presented to the Imam of Oman in 1838. Since then, the firm has always had great influence on the market for elite sporting firearms, and produced arms during both world wars; Purdey & Sons was an important contributor of wartime materials. After World War II, Purdey & Sons was commended by the British government and was awarded a Medal of the British Empire for their support of the war effort. Purdey & Sons? guns are considered to be among the finest shotguns one can buy. Famous for their innovative gun manufacturing from original flintlocks to single trigger mechanisms for shotguns, the company has continually led the way in the development of the sporting gun. The company?s products have often exceeded government safety standards, and have consistently met the exacting demands of the most ardent collectors and sportsmen. Each gun is individually made and is tested for balance and accuracy by Purdey & Sons? experts. To ensure the quality of its products, prospective buyers must travel to London for preliminary measurements which insure optimal synergy between the gun and its user. Purdey & Sons? gun stocks are made from walnut chosen from the Dordogne forest in France, and each part of the gun is crafted by specialists (who have all been trained in their craft at Purdey since their youth). For example, wood is cut to match the individual buyer?s measurements, with the metalwork for the gun being made at Purdey?s, resulting in the highest level of quality. Whether its products are appreciated as the finest of sporting firearms, or as collectible works of art, Purdey & Sons has set a benchmark of manufacturing quality, desirability and prestige which is almost unequaled in the gun-making world.