Christophe Claret - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Christophe Claret
    Year: Circa 2012
    Reference No: OG010TRD98
    Case No: 6/8
    Model Name: Soprano
    Material: 18K white gold and PVD-coated titanium
    Calibre: Manual, cal. TRD98, 39 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: PVD-coated titanium Christophe Claret deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 45mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by undated Christopher Claret certificate stamped Westime United States, instruction manual, leather folder, cloth, loupe, travel case, fitted presentation and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    With an innovative and entertaining approach to independent watchmaking, Christophe Claret has been a master of creating complicated movements such as the minute repeater. Beginning his career as a restorer for vintage and antique timepieces, Claret’s expertise and talent was quickly noticed when he graduated the prestigious Geneva Watchmaking School before he turned the age of 20. Claret then became an apprentice working with master watchmaker, Roger Dubuis. During a trip to the Basel Watch Fair in 1987, Claret’s life would change as Swiss industrialist Rolf Schnyder who had just acquired Ulysse Nardin gave him his first order of 20 minute repeater movements with Jacks.

    Within a decade, Christophe Claret became a household name for manufacturers to collaborate with to create complicated movements with a client list such as Ulysse Nardin, Franck Muller, de Grisogono and Harry Winston.

    With an expertise for minute repeating timepieces, the firm released the Soprano Minute Repeater equipped with a 1-minute tourbillon escapement and an impressive Westminster chime with four hammers and patented cathedral gongs. With a futuristic and a contemporary design language, the case is composed of white gold for the bezel and caseback while the main case and casebands are composed of grade 5 PVD-coated titanium to maximise the quality of the chime totalling 45mm in diameter.

    An impressive and sophisticated complication, the movement comprises of a total of 450 parts equipped with a tourbillon parachute shock system first developed by Abraham-Louis Breguet. Requiring extreme precision to achieve the perfect Westminster Chime each individual gong must be executed to the highest level of accuracy. The choice of materials, the length and even the diameter all must be as precise as possible to produce a truly accurate musical note. Furthermore, a hammer must strike the gong forcefully, but retreat fast enough not to strike the gong again due to vibrations following the first strike.

    The present example Christophe Claret Soprano Minute Repeater numbered 6 is a true horological masterpiece essentially allowing for the wearer to enjoy the Westminster Chime of the “Big Ben” on their wrist at any time they please to.

  • Artist Biography

    Christophe Claret

    French • 1987 Renaud Papi Claret, 1991 renamed Christophe Claret

    For nearly 30 years Christophe Claret has been associated with high-grade complicated Swiss watch movements and cutting edge innovative designs. He is the artist behind the movements of some of Switzerland's most distinguished manufacturers. Partnering with Ulysse Nardin, Claret created the caliber CLA88 minute repeater for their San Marco jacquemart line. He was instrumental in the production of the caliber CHW97 Tourbillon Glissière, with its oscillating weight slide winding system, for Harry Winston. A member of an exclusive group of independent watch manufacturers, Claret impacts haute horlogerie with its three-dimensional works and innovative designs.

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Σ862

Ref. OG010TRD98
A very fine, impressive and rare limited edition white gold and PVD-coated titanium semi-skeletonized minute repeating tourbillon wristwatch with Westminster chime, numbered 6 of a limited edition of 8 pieces

Circa 2012
45mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$260,000 - 510,000 
€33,100-65,000
$33,300-65,400

Sold for HK$756,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia 
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022