Universal Genève military rattrapante "A.Cairelli" @ Sotheby's

Universal Genève A.Cairelli

LOT 72: Now, let's go back to the interesting pieces which attracted us and the auctioneers. First of all, we have been impressed by the general interest triggered by a Universal Genève, a large "split second" chronograph with single pusher, delivered by the Roman house Cairelli to the Italian Air Force in 1945.

One has to remember that watch lovers are familiar with this house since the famous Zenith chronograph from the beginning of the 60's.

The piece merely reached double its estimated price, with a hammer price of 122,500 CHF. It is probably one of the most expensive Universal Genève ever to have been sold and one of the most difficult to find military watches. Let's bet that an Italian collector succumbed to its charms.

Universal Genève split second military chronograph « A.Cairelli » 45mm case

Estimation : 40,000 - 60,000 CHF

Final Bid 13 november 2012 @ Sotheby’s Geneva : 122,500 CHF