Important Collector's Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 01, 2004

LOT 285

Panerai for Purdey Officine Panerai, Firenze 1860, Luminor ?Sealand", No. E 050/100, Ref. OP 6577. Produced in a limited edition of 100 examples in 2002 for famous gunmaker Purdey & Sons. Very fine and very rare, oversized, self-winding, water-resistant to 50 meters, stainless steel military-type diver?s wristwatch with date, concealed dial and a stainless steel Panerai buckle. Accompanied by a fitted box and certificate.

USD 12,000 - 14,000

EUR 9,000 - 11,000

Sold: USD 19,550

C. Three-body, brushed, screwed-down case back engraved ?Panerai for Purdey?, crown with patented security lever to wind the watch even under water, hinged steel cover engraved in typical Purdey manner with four bird heads, anti-reflective sapphire crystal with "cyclops" lens. D. Bi-colored black and silver with applied luminous Arabic numerals and indexes on an outer black reserve, subsidiary "guilloché" seconds dial at 9, aperture for the date. Luminous steel "bâton" hands. M. Cal. OP III, rhodium plated, 21 jewels, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam: 44 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1 - 01

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 imortant 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.