Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong, Jul 10, 2005

LOT 82

Officine Panerai, Firenze 1860, " Luminor Arktos", No. G 250/500, Ref. OP 6559. Made in a limited edition of 300 examples in 2004 to celebrate the Mike Horn Arktos expedition. Fine and rare, large, cushion-shaped, anti-magnetic water-resistant, stainless steel ?expedition? wristwatch with revolving cardinal point bezel and Panerai buckle. Accompanied by a box and certificate.

HKD 60,000 - 75,000

EUR 6,500 - 8,000 / USD 8,000 - 10,000

Sold: HKD 92,000

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back engraved withthe ?Arktos expedition? logo,unidirectional revolving bezel marked for the four cardinal points, straightlugs, patented winding-crown withsecurity lever, 3.5 mm thick anti-reflective sapphire crystal. D. Blue withluminous Arabicnumerals and indexes,subsidiary seconds dial at 9. Luminous "bâton" hands. M. Cal. OP III,rhodium-plated, special Panerai decoration,17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance,shock-absorber, self compensating flatbalance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Dim. 44 x 44 mm. Thickness 14 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1 - 01

Notes

This watch is an exact replica of the watch developed by Panerai in conjunction with Mike Horn for his Arktos Expedition. Starting from Siberia to the North Pole, he then proceeded around the globe following the Arctic Circle, covering a distance of more than 20,000 kilometres. The watch is unlike any other previously produced by Panerai, taking into account the unique conditions which exist within the Artic circle. The automatic movement is fully protected by a special alloy ?Faraday cage? and is totally resistant to the influence of magnetic fields. A new mix of oils had to be developed in order to keep the movement lubricated given the wide range of temperatures that would be encountered on the expedition. The watch also has a scratch-resistant anti-reflective sapphire crystal 3.5 millimetres thick. Another innovation is a rotating bezel that indicates the four cardinal points, enabling the wearer to calculate their position according to the position of the sun and stars.