Girard-Perregaux

• cal. GP9899 manual winding nickel lever movement, 37 jewels, Westminster carillon minute repeating on 4 hammers, mono-metallic balance rotating within a one-minute tourbillon carriage • skeletonized dial with three pink gold bridges, inner bezel engraved with Roman numerals • platinum case, minute repeating slide to the band, sapphire crystal display back • case and movement signed • with an 18k white gold Girard-Perregaux folding clasp

Manual winding movement running, tourbillon and minute repeating function fully operational during cataloguing. Westminster carillon minute repeating sounds are crisp and well paced. Skeletonized dial looks nice and clean. Case and folding clasp with scuffs from normal wear. Overall appears in very good condition. **The strap of this wristwatch is made from an endangered species, please refer to important notices for further information**.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

With Girard-Perregaux Certificate, Instruction Manual booklet and a presentation box with outer packaging.

The Girard-Perregaux 'Opera One' combines two highly coveted complications, minute repeater with carillon (Westminster Chime) and the manufacture's iconic three-golden bridge tourbillon.  Housed within an impressive 40 mm platinum case, the manually-wound GP calibre 9899 beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour and features 75-hours power reserve.

The Westminster chime marks the hours, quarters and minutes using four hammers to play a melody of four different notes.  This distinctive tune, also known as the Cambridge chime, gains its name from the Church of St. Mary the Great, Cambridge.

In 1884, Constant Girard patented his first 'three bridge movement'. Five years later, in 1889, Girard's first tourbillon watch using the three bridge design won the gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition. Between 1865 and 1911, Girard-Perregaux registered 57 tourbillon watches at the Observatory of Neuchatel in Switzerland. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Girard-Perregaux began to research and manufacture 20 golden bridge tourbillon pocket watches based on the 1889 original.

In 1986, Girard-Perregaux designed and produced a wristwatch version of the three bridge tourbillon to be ready in time for the company's 1991 bicentenary.  This required the miniaturization of the movement and its inversion to allow the three golden bridges to be visible from the dial side.  Highly appealing aesthetically, the three golden bridges of the 'Opera One' are further stylized to incorporate and allow an unobstructed view of the chime mechanism.  Girard-Perregaux's distinct design, arguably make it the most immediately recognizable tourbillon wristwatch.

In 1999 the 'Opera One' was named "Swiss Watch of the Year" by three Swiss magazines including Montres Passion, Uhren Welt and L'Hebdo. The 'Opera One' also received the Special Jury Prize in 2000 from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry.