CIRCA: 2007
CASE MATERIAL: Platinum, glazed display case back
DIAMETER: 42 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Black CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Special order dial with sector indicating MZT (Mozart) and TKY (Tchaikovsky) for the selected melody, power reserve indicator for the music
MOVEMENT: Cal. GP00950, 45 jewels, manual, musical pin barrel movement with 150 hand-assembled pins, keyboard of 20 blades, bridge engraved with the names of the two melodies and the composers
FUNCTIONS: Time, music box plays Mozart’s “A Little Night Music” or Tchaikovsky’s “No Great Love” on demand or every hour
BUCKLE: 18k white gold folding clasp
WITH: Certificate of Authenticity, presentation box and outer packaging

Ψ This endangered species strap is shown for display purposes only and is not for sale.

PLEASE NOTE: Girard-Perregaux wishes to show their commitment to the watches they manufacture by offering a service and check-up this watch (up to an amount of CHF8,000, specifically including one month of labour for maintenance and not including any change of component or restoration) purchased through Christie’s auctions.

The watch will be serviced in the Girard-Perregaux workshop but the cost of shipping will be borne entirely by the buyer. By offering this extraordinary after-sale service, Girard-Perregaux wishes to ensure that their watches are kept in the best condition and thus maintain their quality and value in the long term.

Post-revision, each watch will receive an official Certificate of Authenticity and presentation box from the Manufacture. In addition, the buyer will also get the opportunity to experience the unique timepieces at Girard-Perregaux’s pavilion at Dubai Watch Week 2023 in November and a chance to meet the head of the brand’s Product Department.

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This lot is offered by Christie's Dubai Ltd.

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Lot Essay

According to the Archives of Girard-Perregaux, the present watch was sold in 2007 with the actual black matte dial added by special request of the owner, rendering it possibly a unique piece.

Consigned by an important private collector the present “Opera Three” is distinguished by the black matte dial as opposed to the better known engine-turned silver version of the model. Made in an exceedingly small series only, the Opera Three represents a rare find for the aficionados of haute horlogerie and classical music alike.

Opera Three is the third and most complicated timepiece of Girard-Perregaux’s Haute Horlogerie “Opera” series. Launched in 2003, this extremely refined musical watch indicates the passing time with a melody, the mechanism working on the principles of a music box. The heart is a miniature carillon with a keyboard of 20 blades and a drum set with 150 hand-assembled pins. While turning the drum lifts the keyboard keys to play a complete melody.

Two small lever in the band of the case allow to choose between two melodies: Mozart’s “A Little Night Music” or Tchaikovsky’s “No Great Love”. A second lever with three positions disconnects the sound or activates the melody to play upon demand or on every hour.

Opera Three represents the watchmaker’s savoir-faire in terms of musical watches, starting at the beginning of the 19th century with the celebrated Genevan watchmaker Jean-François Bautte, associated with the origins of Girard-Perregaux.

Only the most talented watchmakers master the development of the miniature mechanism, devoting months to crafting these unique pieces, from the machining of the components to the final control, via beveling of the parts, polishing, movement decoration, assembly, mounting the dial and hands and then fitting the case.