Important Watches and Wristwatches
Hong Kong, Hotel Furama, May 28, 1989
LOT 78
Mido, No 1147, case No 162966. circa 1929.
HKD 75,000 - 100,000
CHF 15,000 - 20,000
Sold: HKD 80,500
Very rare 18-carat gold and enamel gentleman's wristwatch, made on special request for Buick in the shape of the 'Bugatti' car radiator grill, in 1928. C. massive, shaped, polished, mobile lugs, winding crown at 12 o'clock'. The bezel bears a blue enamel medallion with the Buick symbol. D. 'guilloché' grey with gold Arabic numerals in relief, at '12 o'clock', small white medallion bearing the signature. Breguet gold hands. M. 8 3/4 nickeled, 15 jewels, lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance adjusted to 3 positions, flat balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. In mint condition. 25 x 34 mm.
Notes
The Mido factory, in the 1927's introduced this modell
of watch on the market, proposing to the various
automobile Clubs to stamp their symbols, the brand of
their vehicles, their armories or monograms in one or
multi-colours on their Mido Drivers watch, against
payment of a slightly higher price. The 'Bugatti' car
manufacture, took advantage of this novelty, and this
modell very soon was called, 'the Bugatti watch' in the
automobile spheres. A similar watch is published in '
Ore d'Oro II' by J. Barracca, G. Negretti e F. Nencini,
page 172, and 'Signori del Tempo' by G. Negretti e F.
Nencini, page 334.