Zenith X Voutilainen X Phillips - The Geneva Watch Auction: XX Geneva Saturday, November 9, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Zenith X Voutilainen X Phillips
    Year: 2022
    Reference No: 440.1350.135/21.C100
    Movement No: 3'964'107
    Case No: 625'007
    Model Name: Calibre 135 Observatoire "Zenith X Phillips X Voutilainen"
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, Observatory Grade cal. 135-O, 19 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather Zenith strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Zenith pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed by maker, case further signed by watchmaker "Kari Voutilainen" and retailer "Phillips, Bacs & Russo"
    Accessories: Accompanied by Zenith Warranty and Instructions booklet stamped by Phillips Fine Watches Ltd, re-edition of the 1954 Chronometry Competition Award Document, original historical wooden case of the movement, wooden presentation box, leather inner box, outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Zenith X Voutilainen X Phillips 10 piece limited edition platinum Cal 135-O was presented in June 2022.



    The story of the birth of this project is first and foremost one of trust and friendship. Following the launch of two Phillips edition Zenith El Primero models in 2019, Phillips reached out to Zenith asking if they would be interested in working together again but this time using the iconic vintage caliber 135, if any were still available.



    A few weeks later Zenith came back declaring that not only had they found a very small stock of Cal 135 but that these calibers were the "serial winners" having participated in the prestigious Neuchatel Observatory trials in 1950-1954, thus the O for observatory following the caliber number. 



    Caliber 135 was designed with Observatory trials in mind and features a 30mm diameter (the maximum dimension to enter the wristwatch category competition) and a 5mm height. Its design was based on the idea of having an extremely large 14mm balance wheel to enhance precision and rate stability, and a large barrel to deliver consistent power to the regulator. 



    The Calibre was produced from 1949 to 1962 in two distinct versions: a commercial variant, and an “O” iteration made solely for observatory chronometry competitions. Never commercialized, The Calibre 135-O received over 230 chronometry prizes, an absolute record in the history of watchmaking. 



    These movements - with Guillaume balance - were prepared for the competitions and fine-tuned yearlong by the Zenith “chronométriers” Charles Fleck and René Gygax - the latter regulating the present movement, which participated in the 1954 competition winning an award in the First Prize category.



    Observatory movements are competition grade movements and were not made to be cased and sold, as such their overall finish was practical and not aesthetic. Furthermore, the movements having been dormant for over 65 years needed to be disassembled, each component tested, tolerances checked, oiled and reassembled. We believed that this could have only be done by one master watchmaker who not only had a huge experience in vintage movement restoration but who’s dexterity and talent is appreciated by all: Kari Voutilainen.



    Between June 2020 and June 2022 Voutilainen and his team painstakingly took apart every movement, refurbished them and made them completely fit to be cased in a wristwatch, adding the signature "Voutilainen" finish along the way.

    The box of this timepiece as well is an homage to the historical roots of the movement beating within, as it consists in two wooden halves kept together by brass holder - echoing the cases these movements have been stored in for the past century or so. In fact, this historical movement box is supplied together with the timepiece, a stroke of historical finesse which will delight the most demanding collector.

11 movements were available but only 10 were cased in platinum with a black dial, with the eleventh one used for a charity unique piece.

176

Ref. 440.1350.135/21.C100
An extremely rare, collectible and historical platinum wristwatch powered by cal.135-O Observatory grade movement, 1st Prize Category winner at the Neuchâtel Observatory Chronometer competition in 1954, originally assembled and regulated by René Gygax in 1954 and finished by Kari Voutilainen in 2022, with Warranty and box, part of a 10 pieces limited edition

2022
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed by maker, case further signed by watchmaker "Kari Voutilainen" and retailer "Phillips, Bacs & Russo"

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 
€74,500-149,000
$81,400-163,000

Sold for CHF114,300

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88

tto@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XX

Geneva Auction 9 - 10 November 2024