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Lot Essay
Some wristwatches have such a visual impact that they capture the attention immediately as something very special, this Bulgari Haute Horlogerie Tourbillon Skeleton Sapphire Crystal Limited Edition is one such watch. Made in homage to legendary watchmaking giant Gérald Genta, it is a wristwatch with an instant presence and tremendous appeal. According to Bulgari Japan, the watch of BGGPW53GLTBSK was originally sold to the original owner in 2015 with a case back stamped no.3, in 2018, the bezel was changed with the repair service upon client’s special request, at the same time, the no. of BGG 53 PWG T8 was put on the case and a special letter from Bulgari Japan was issued to confirm this special request. The present pink gold version is set with brilliant cut diamonds on the bezel and is, to the best of our knowledge, the first example of this specific edition to be offered at international auction. Moreover, it is in excellent condition.
The entire timepiece is a formidable and extremely beautiful technical achievement, the overall concept is one of transparency and skeletonization, every aspect of its construction contributing to that goal. The pink gold case, with sapphire crystals front and back and sapphire crystal windows at the sides, houses the caliber Gérald Genta 8000 hand-wound movement. Offering 70 hours of power reserve, the movement with one-minute tourbillon is a testament to the watchmaker’s art. Most significantly, it features transparent sapphire crystal bridges, that due to the immense difficulty of manufacture is an extremely rare sight in modern watchmaking.
Another of the most fascinating aspects of the Bulgari Tourbillon Sapphire is the luminous sapphire crystal rods fitted vertically within the case construction itself. These luminous cylindrical rods are visible through the transparent crystal sides, the ends of the rods also forming the hour markers around the dial. In the dark, the watch seems to glow with light, once seen it is never forgotten.
Gérald Genta is one of the most respected names in luxury watchmaking. Over the course of his illustrious career, he designed some of the most desirable watches in the world. After working for several years as a freelance designer, he established his eponymous brand in 1969. There, he continued to push the boundaries of horological design, creating exceptional watches that combined new shapes and materials with major watchmaking complexities. Inspired by innovative designers and painters like Picasso, the company soon attracted the attention and business of the world’s most important watch clients and collectors. The company was acquired by Bulgari in 2000.
The entire timepiece is a formidable and extremely beautiful technical achievement, the overall concept is one of transparency and skeletonization, every aspect of its construction contributing to that goal. The pink gold case, with sapphire crystals front and back and sapphire crystal windows at the sides, houses the caliber Gérald Genta 8000 hand-wound movement. Offering 70 hours of power reserve, the movement with one-minute tourbillon is a testament to the watchmaker’s art. Most significantly, it features transparent sapphire crystal bridges, that due to the immense difficulty of manufacture is an extremely rare sight in modern watchmaking.
Another of the most fascinating aspects of the Bulgari Tourbillon Sapphire is the luminous sapphire crystal rods fitted vertically within the case construction itself. These luminous cylindrical rods are visible through the transparent crystal sides, the ends of the rods also forming the hour markers around the dial. In the dark, the watch seems to glow with light, once seen it is never forgotten.
Gérald Genta is one of the most respected names in luxury watchmaking. Over the course of his illustrious career, he designed some of the most desirable watches in the world. After working for several years as a freelance designer, he established his eponymous brand in 1969. There, he continued to push the boundaries of horological design, creating exceptional watches that combined new shapes and materials with major watchmaking complexities. Inspired by innovative designers and painters like Picasso, the company soon attracted the attention and business of the world’s most important watch clients and collectors. The company was acquired by Bulgari in 2000.