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Only Time for Only Watch
… at Tourneau, the World’s Largest Watch Store

A company’s brand is its essence, its public declaration of individuality and potential. Over the years, the Tourneau brand has undergone a true evolution – a process of development from humble origins to its current preeminence in the luxury watch market. The successful evolution of Tourneau did not occur overnight. Beginning in 1900, the brand development of Tourneau is the story of the 20th century’s rapid technological and artistic progress and its arrival at the pinnacle of 21st century luxury. Tourneau is a brand that has long embodied the mastery of time and the quest for perfection.

“Along with our very strong tradition of watchmaking,” says Andrew Block, Executive Vice President, “Tourneau is committed to providing customers with the highest level of quality timepieces and service. It is this level of commitment that makes partnering with Only Watch an obvious choice. Bringing this exclusive exhibition to Tourneau gives us an opportunity to showcase some of the world’s most unique watches, created by many of the most important Swiss watch brands, to our customers.”

A leading maker and retailer of luxury watches, Tourneau has four stores in New York City, over 40 others throughout the US, as well as several shops in China. The stores sell watches and vintage timepieces produced by over 100 well known brand names, including the Tourneau house brand – Tourneau Timepieces.

Over a century ago, when the company was established, Tourneau existed as a single storefront business, family owned and operated in New York City. In-house design and manufacturing gave Tourneau a reputation as master watchmakers of the highest quality men’s and ladies’ timepieces. For nearly 70 years, Tourneau remained a one-store retail business, selling watches and jewelry. That changed in the 1970s when Tourneau expanded out of New York City to Florida and opened a store in the prestigious Bal Harbour Shops. Over the next 30 years, the company continued to expand its reach across the country.

The history of Tourneau brand fine watches collection originated shortly after the company was established with the very first Tourneau watches being retailed sometime in the year 1906. This practice, anchored on designing and building first-rate timepieces, grew over the years and thrust Tourneau to the forefront of sophisticated watchmaking in the 20s, 30s, 40s and into the second half of the 20th century. Their superior brand product was marked by significant complications, case designs and high level dial executions. A vast array of these and other historic and innovative Tourneau Timepieces can be seen in the Tourneau Museum, which is located in the brand’s flagship New York City TimeMachine.

The unique timepiece we are making for Only Watch, is a rose gold Classic 1900 II Automatic Jump Hour, which is based on our entirely Swiss made Classic 1900 Collection.”

This unique, automatic Jump Hour features a 27 jewel Soprod movement set in an oversized 42mm, 18k rose gold, coin edged case with fabulously curved and rounded lugs and an impressive domed sapphire crystal. The movement is visible through a sapphire exhibition back and the rotor is numbered 001/001. The jump hour is shown in an aperture at 60 minutes in the large minute dial which is set above the small seconds dial. With its contrasting case and sterling silver hand guilloche dial, the watch creates a very impressive appearance.

This watch is a perfect example of the quality and craftsmanship that the Tourneau name has become synonymous with, and follows the brand’s tradition of making complications and exclusive timepieces – one-of-a-kind and limited editions.

 

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For more information contact:
Ita McCobb
Patrizzi & Co Auctioneers SA
Tel +41 22 318 28 38
e-mail i.mccobb@patrizziauction.com

Audrey Baylac
Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies / Monaco Yacht Show
Tel +377 93 10 41 70
e-mail audrey@monacoyachtshow.mc