The watch world will witness a landmark event later this year when a unique Philippe Dufour Grande et Petite Sonnerie wristwatch with an dial made of transparent sapphire crystal hits the block in Phillips’ New York Watch Auction: XI, scheduled for Dec. 7 and 8.
A revered name among watch connoisseurs, Philippe Dufour has produced a mere 250 watches over his career, each crafted with painstaking detail. He introduced his Grande et Petite Sonnerie in 1992, and has made only eight examples of the model. Just three of them feature an open dial—which allows a view of the striking mechanism—and the one being offered by Phillips is the only Grande et Petite Sonnerie with Dufour’s elaborate half-hunter case.
This extraordinary timepiece is poised to break Phillips New York’s record for the highest estimate ever for a watch, with an expected sale price exceeding $2 million.
The Grande et Petite Sonnerie marked a milestone in horological history as the world’s first wristwatch to feature both complications, petite (which strikes on the quarter-hour) and grande (which includes a repeater). Dufour is known for his unparalleled dedication to traditional watchmaking, and this 1999 watch heading to auction represents the pinnacle of his artistry and craftsmanship.
Paul Boutros, Phillips’ deputy chairman and head of watches for the Americas, described the watch’s significance in a statement: “The Grande et Petite Sonnerie being offered in December is not only one of the most important Philippe Dufour watches ever made, but it’s also among the most important timepieces across all brands and eras.” For collectors, the chance to acquire a piece of horological history like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
(Photos courtesy of Phillips)
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