Lot 2311
  • 2311

Philippe Dufour

Estimate
2,200,000 - 3,200,000 HKD
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Description

  • AN EXTRAORDINARY, IMPORTANT AND UNIQUE PINK GOLD TWO-TRAIN MINUTE REPEATING GRANDE AND PETITE SONNERIE WRISTWATCH WITH HINGED CASE AND ENAMEL DIALCIRCA 1992 NO 3
  • diameter 41 mm
• cal. 12 three quarter plate nickel two-train lever movement wound by turning the crown to either side, 35 jewels, minute repeating and grande and petite sonnerie striking on two polished steel hammers • white enamel dial with Roman numerals, blued steel moon-style hands, subsidiary dial for constant seconds • 18k pink gold circular case, downturned lugs, two slides for "hours/quarters" and "silence/strike" in the band, minute repeating function activated by depressing a button in the crown, glazed dust cover, hinged back • case, dial and movement signed • with an 18k pink gold buckle

Condition

Extremely Rare and collectable! Manual winding movement running, minute repeating function is in working order while cataloguing. However, the grande and petite sonnerie are striking one quarter out-of-phase. Service is recommended. Minute repeating sound is crisp and well paced. Enamel dial is intact and looks nice and clean. Case and buckle with surface hairlines from normal wear. Overall appears in very good condition. Highly recommended!
"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."

Catalogue Note

With a Philippe Dufour presentation box.

Philippe Dufour is one of the most respected master watchmakers working in the industry today.  Born in the Vallée de Joux, he attended the Sentier technical school at the age of 15 and pursued watchmaking in 1967.  Dufour was employed by world renowned watchmaking manufactures such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet and Gerald Genta.  In 1989 however, he decided to produce watches under his own name.   Dufour joined the prestigious ranks of the AHCI (Académie des horlogers et créateurs indépendants / Horological Academy of Independent Creators) in 1992 after three years working on his masterwork – the world's first grande and petite sonnerie minute repeating wristwatch. 

The present lot is a unique Philippe Dufour masterpiece, superbly crafted in 18k pink gold and fitted with an elegant white enamel dial, one of four pieces ever made and the only one in this precious metal.  This impressive timepiece debuted at the 1992 Basel Fair and stunned the watch industry premiering as the first ever grande and petite sonnerie minute repeating wristwatch produced by any maker.  This Philippe Dufour timepiece makes its auction debut and presents a unique collecting opportunity for truly dedicated connoisseurs of independent horology.   

The hinged case back opens pleasingly to reveal an exquisitely finished and intricate two-train movement.  The highly polished bevelled edges and curved bridges of the movement guide the admirer through an impeccable and sophisticated canvas of horological art.  Through a button in the crown, the trip repeat mechanism is activated and the two sliding levers in the case band adjust the grande and petite sonnerie mode from striking to silent, and hour striking to hour and quarter striking. 

Philippe Dufour是當今鐘錶業最受人尊崇的製錶大師之一。他出生於瑞士製錶重鎮Vallee de Joux,15歲起就讀尚提耶技術學校,並於1967年開啟了鐘錶業的職業生涯。Dufour曾受雇于世界知名鐘錶製造大廠積家,愛彼及尊達。在1989年,Dufour決定獨立經營個人品牌,並在之後的三年傾力打造他的傑作------世界首枚大小自鳴三問腕錶。在1992年,Dufour的名字躋身於AHCI權威榜單之列。

今次為藏家呈現的這枚腕錶是Philippe Dufour的心血之作,18K粉紅金錶殼搭配白色琺瑯錶盤,盡顯高貴優雅。此款腕錶全球僅生產四枚且僅此枚為獨一無二之粉紅金材質,彌足珍貴。此款令人過目不忘的腕錶首次於1992年巴塞爾鐘錶展上面世,做為首枚大小自鳴三問腕錶,令全球同業為之驚豔。這枚首見於拍賣市場的非凡之作必將成為收藏獨立製錶人作品的頂級藏家的心水之物,為您的收藏錦上添花。

開啟背部錶殼即可欣賞做工精緻細密的雙輪雙置機芯。純手工打磨的精美零件及夾板,引領藏家細細品味這幅精密極致的鐘錶藝術畫卷。透過錶冠處的按鈕,即可啟動打簧報時功能,位於錶殼外緣的兩個滑動鈕可調節大小自鳴功能,切換報時與靜音,整點報時與時刻報時之間的功能。