BNIB Gerald Génta Success Minute Repeater, 18K/18K/MOP G3016.4.2T.002.20-BD. MSRP: $188,900..HUGE REDUCTION..! Start Price USD 59,995.00 Current Price USD 59,995.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, September 23, 2008 End Time Thursday, October 23, 2008 Location Spokane, Washington See more about 'BNIB Gerald Génta Success Minute Repeater, 18K/18K/MOP' Description Hello All:Up for your consideration is my BNIB “Limited-Edition” Gérald Genta Success “Minute Repeater” in 18K/18K//Mother-of-Pearl. The solid 18K case and bracelet are Yellow, the glorious dial is Mother of Pearl, and the “Limited Edition” may very easily be termed: “One of a Kind.” This is Gerald Genta Reference: G3016.4.2T.002.20.BD, and it is beyond magnificent…!!Gérald Genta creates fabulous timepiece, this is indisputable. With an “In-House” movement sporting one of the foremost complication in all of horology, the “Success” available here rises gracefully to the high standards of Genta’s “Lignes Douces” style.Impressive is the fact that Genta designed this Minute Repeater specifically for a woman. This cordial yet pivotal nod to her appreciation of complex Haute Horology speaks volumes of this avant-garde company’s philosophy. A Genevan “Manufacture” whose motto is: Consistently Modern, Reliably Unusual, and, above all, Unique…!Unique is the amplified truism here. I cannot think of another manufacture today that is producing a Minute Repeater for a woman. Patek Philippe, a company Gérald Genta worked for as a stylist, has a smallish Minute Repeater, but, it is labeled a Gent’s timepiece.Other serious Manufactures, like Audemars Piguet (another company Gérald worked for), Breguet, Corum, Vacheron et Constantin, and only a handful more produce the fantastic complication that is the Minute Repeater. They’re cases are generally large compared to the shapely and trim Gérald Genta Minute Repeater available here.Measuring in at a willowy 31.15 mm x 34.6 mm, and being only 6.4 mm thin, this delicate and complicated timepiece is sized flawlessly for today’s varied persuasion of fashion. The striking and deeply lustrous Mother-of-Pearl dial is profound, and the hand assembled Gold-Bar bracelet, with it’s solid 18K links, creates an affluent balance on your wrist that is delightfully warm.Needing to bring this information into a conscious vision, I had the solid 18K-Yellow Gold Minute Repeater modeled for me by three separate and separately-unique women. Handling of this exclusive timepiece was done with the greatest of care. At all times, silk Gérald Genta gloves were worn so as not to smudge this mirror-polished nonpareil in Gold.The first model wore a tailored Juicy Couture chiffon blouse with a three button cuff. The cuff of her blouse chose a natural position just above her thumb. With this cuff style any snag or resistance would be immediately perceptible.As expected, passes of the cuff went unnoticed. The reason being, the sculpted bracelet and the rounded Roman etched bezel of the Golden Success are polished and rolled to a flawless silky gloss. Interestingly, because the model wore the Genta loosely, brief glimpses occurred when her hand and arm motions became oblique. To say this was provocative would be an understatement…!The next model wore a St. John Santana knit black suit. The jacket of this suit had white trim. Coincidentally, the jacket had white pearl buttons. Cuff fitment was very loose, so conflict with the 6.4 mm thin Genta was not an issue. With minimal attempt, the oft-revealed Success was very easy to see, or be seen. The contrast of the dark suit to Gérald Genta’s Yellow Gold adornment was absolutely sublime, while the cloudless pearl buttons of the jacket played a harmonic duet with the Genta’s Mother-of-Pearl dial. This was nothing short of inspirational…!!The final model was dressed semi casually. A Nanette Lapore Princess Caroline skirt, and a short sleeve Eskandar shirt in blue linen. The short sleeve allowed unimpeded appreciation of the Genta’s smooth and elegant contours. A sleek, cosmopolitan look was created instantly, when just moments before the look was altogether soigné.The message was simple indeed. Envisioning this fantastic timepiece entering the Teatro Massimo on an arm donned in Versace Silver Fox is calculated. Alternately, seeing the Minute Repeater entering the corner office under the bosses Alexander McQueen Tweed, or seeing it entering the MOMA under a Calvin Klein jeans sweater would be equally proper.Whether or not you can imagine the Genta entering the gym or toiling in the garden, depends on your perspective. If you’re the CFO of Gold’s Gym International, sure. Certainly the lead arborist at the Butchart Gardens carries the responsibility to accessorize upwardly, yes? Again, it’s only perspective.Back to the good stuff…!!The horological world of complications within timepieces is quite intriguing. Some complications are popular; a perpetual calendar, for instance, will always impress. Plus, perpetual’s are extremely practical…day, date, month, moon phase, leap year…I need this information…!Others are unique; retrogrades in various iterations, and multiples, are fun, if only because owners of such seem alone while giggling randomly at their whacky flip/flop hands and windows.A Tourbillon…? What can I say about this prestigious complication…? They’re so totally unnecessary in the modern wristwatch, yet they are so totally cool…!! They’re almost visceral in their coolness. Also, the jealousy factor of Tourbillon ownership is intense. Every collector should have one…two if they’re small…!! Fortunately (for your wallet) most Tourbillon’s today are entombed within larger cases.The most satisfying complication, for me anyway, and I think most collectors would agree, is the striking repeater. Striking styles from quarter-hour to minute are immediately impressive. Every repeater represents an aurally satisfying personification of the master watchmakers ascent to his mechanical apex. The multiple striking Minute Repeater surpasses mere apex…the sound is utterly climactic…!!Housing the Gérald Genta Cal. GG3016 movement, Genta’s artisans and master technicians have collaborated in creating an innovative and moving piece of art. While beveled plates, base Pearlage and côtes de Genève are the handiwork of a gifted master, it’s the hand etched plates of 18K-Yellow Gold, showing a flowing and swirling rye and barley pattern that will veraciously excite you.Beyond these incredible elaborations is a complication few have had the pleasure to witness. Even fewer have had the opportunity to operate one.The actual Minute Repeater components of this “In-House” Gérald Genta movement show themselves subtly when visually dissecting this Golden basket of perfection. Fortunately, an 18K-Gold and sapphire exhibition window around back allows you to drool without contamination. Let’s examine Gerald’s magnum opus.Looking first at the periphery of the main Golden movement you will find two long circular rods. These rods are not Gold like the bridges, they are hardened Stainless Steel, and are referred to as the “Gongs.” Secondly, at Twelve-o’clock, and separated by an etched Golden bridge, are the two jewel-set hammers. The hammers are constructed of hardened Stainless Steel too. They look like chubby little ice picks, and appear to be of equal proportion. Look closely and you will notice that they actually differ in size, very slightly. This is on purpose, so as to create a sound that is audibly separate and distinct.Finally, as these hammers await orders from the all-or-nothing spring, an activation by you is needed. You will notice the sliding mechanism on the exterior of the case (Cabochon crown at 9:30). By firmly pressing downward you have engaged the striking mechanism. The magic is set to commence. Open your ears, release the lever, and let the Angels begin their opus…!!Ding, Ding Ding…Ding-Dong, Ding-Dong…Bing, Bing, Bing, Bing, Bing, Bing, Bing…!! It’s 3:37..get it…? Three dings, one for each hour. Two “Ding-Dong’s,” one for each quarter hour past twelve-o’clock (30 minutes), and seven “Bing’s,” one for each minute past the last quarter (Ding-Dong). If this were the darkened early morning, and you were without glasses, your Genta will happily orient you to the day by playing its timeless melody as designed. It’s 3:37. Wow…!!Night or day has no relevance here, and you may actuate the Minute Repeater whenever you wish. It’s melodic purr is tranquil enough for you to hear privately, yet there is enough timbre to share, if the mood suits.While the Minute Repeater was developed ostensibly as an altruistic complication for the blind or vision impaired, it was soon realized as one of the finest and most complex functions in all of horology. Passed only in complexity by the Grand Petit Sonnerie Minute Repeater.For the reason above, and because precious few watch companies have the ability to create such wonderful mechanics, as this level of craftsmanship is usually reserved for a handful of elite “Manufactures,” the Minute Repeater has become an almost Holy Grail.”The condition of this complicated, watch-enthusiasts dream, is flawless. The highly-polished and solid 18K-Yellow Gold case and matching 18K-Yellow Gold and Gerald Genta embossed, single-fold deployant bracelet are free of even the slightest of micro-swirlies. The sapphire crystal is pristine, as is the never removed sapphire and 18K caseback. Both 18K crowns have embedded a flawless blue-sapphire Cabochon. All functions operate precisely, and are a treat to use.All factory supplied goodies accompany this Genta, they include: Both boxes, resting pillow, operating manual, warranty and service center manual, leather document wallet and a full manufactures two-year warranty.The retail on this Extremely Rare Minute Repeater is $188,900, and because of its exclusively-limited production number(s) I dare you to find another. Finding one BNIB, at my “Buy-It-Now” price, represents a true horological gift.The payment terms are as follows; PayPal (Confirmed Only), cashier’s check, money order, wire transfer or personal check (clearing time).Please note: Along with the above forms of accepted payment, I am also happy to accept the three main credit cards; Visa, Master Card and American Express.Insured UPS “Second-Day” shipping will be "Free" to anywhere in the USA. Insured international shipping to most destinations will also be "Free".I respectfully ask that zero-feedback bidders please contact me prior to bidding.I am happy to answer all questions. Please feel free to call: 201-816-2559.Finally: With my new format I will be consistently showcasing more and more elite timepieces from Switzerland, so please take a look at my other auctions while you’re here. Thanks for looking and good bidding all.Peace,Phil Place a Bid!