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873Σ

Girard Perregaux

Ref. 99740

Opera Two

A unique, unworn, extremely fine and important pink gold carillon Westminster minute repeating perpetual calendar tourbillon wristwatch with grey sunburst dial, leap year indication, certificate and presentation box

Estimate
HK$400,000 - 800,000
€44,200 - 88,400
$51,300 - 103,000
HK$1,016,000
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Girard Perregaux
Year
Circa 2004
Reference No
99740
Case No
Unique Set
Model Name
Opera Two
Material
18K pink gold
Calibre
Manual, cal. 9897, 37 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Crocodile
Clasp/Buckle
18K pink gold Girard-Perregaux deployant clasp
Dimensions
41mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Girard-Perregaux certificate dated 22nd December 2004, instruction manual book, product literature book, key, fitted wooden presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The present Opera Two in pink gold is produced in an exceedingly small number, each timepiece was meticulously assembled and decorated by hand, requiring approximately 500 hours to complete. Most repeaters strike the time with two hammers on two gongs, but the Westminster chime is exceptional, utilizing multiple gongs and hammers to replicate the peal of bells from the Houses of Parliament in London. The movement of the Opera Two is among the very few to feature a four-gong Westminster carillon, with each of the four hammers marked according to piano keys: Sol-Do-Ré and M (G-C-D-E). Through the open aperture on the left of the dial, three of the four gongs can be seen striking when the minute repeater is activated, producing the delightful "Big Ben" melody.

What makes this watch even more special is its unique dial design. Unlike the simpler dials seen in the market, the present grey dial features a visually striking sunburst pattern that radiates outward from the tourbillon cage, amplifying the mesmerizing movement of the tourbillon.

Preserved in like-new, unworn condition, this unique Opera Two comes as a full set with its wooden presentation box, certificate and books. It is a spectacular piece of haute horlogerie that discerning connoisseurs should not miss.

Girard Perregaux

Swiss | 1791
Celebrating its 225th anniversary in 2016, the company earned its fame as the first vertically integrated Swiss watchmaking company, manufacturing high-grade movements, cases and dials within its premises. Particularly noteworthy are the brand's three-gold-bridge tourbillon pocket watches built by Constant Girard beginning in 1867 — considered amongst the most beautiful movement architectures ever made. An active participant in Switzerland's observatory chronometry competitions, the brand won so many precision awards that they were excluded from competing in 1901.

Key models include nineteenth and twentieth century pocket watches with three gold bridges, modern tourbillon wristwatches with three gold bridges, minute repeating pocket and wristwatches, as well as sport watches such as the Laureato and Sea Hawk.
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