Lot 25

Glashütte Original, Glashütte i/SA, "Meisterwerke - A. Helwig Tourbillon 2", Movement No. 03, Case No. 03/25, Ref. 1-41-02-04-05-06, Cal. GUB 41-02, 38 mm, circa 2001
An extremely rare wristwatch in mint condition, with flying one-minute tourbillon, retrograde date and retrograde power reserve indicator - limited platinum edition no. 03 of 25 pieces - with original box, certificate, operating instructions, setting pin and additional hand-painted platinum/porcelain case back
Case: platinum, screwed on glazed back, reeded bezel, original platinum buckle. Dial: silvered, engine-turned.
In homage to Alfred Helwig - teacher at the German watch- and clockmaking school in Glashütte and inventor of the first flying tourbillon - Glashütte Original launched this luxury model in a limited series of 25 pieces in platinum and rose gold in 2001 as part of their "Masterpieces" range. In the vote for "Watch of the Year" 2002, the "Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 2" model was awarded third place.
Different to Breguet’s tourbillon which is mounted on both sides, Alfred Helwig’s sophisticated design mounts the carriage without the upper bridge. The carriage is mounted only on its lower side, so that the tourbillon appears to "fly" in its cage. The revolving tourbillon carriage carries a small blued hand at 12 o’clock which indicates the seconds; together with the off-centre main dial at 6 o’clock overlapped by the two semicircular date and power reserve indications it presents a well-balanced, harmonious arrangement to the viewer. The varying radial guilloche patterns lend the gently shimmering silvered dial a particularly elegant appeal.

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