Back in 1933, the single most important watch ever built was engineered for a quiet millionaire collector named Henry Graves. It took over three years and the most advanced horological technique to create the multifunction masterpiece. This one of a kind watch was to become the most coveted piece in the collection of the Museum of Time near Chicago. Recently this ultra-rare innovation was auctioned off for the record price of $11,030,000 by Sotheby's to a secretive anonymous collector. Now the watch is locked away in a private vault in an unknown location. We believe that a classic like this should be available to true watch aficionados so Stauer replicated the Graves design in the limited edition Graves '33.
The antique enameled face with four interior dials is true to the original vintage design. But the real beauty of this watch is on the inside. We replicated an extremely complicated early automatic movement with 27 jewels and seven hands. There are over 210 individual parts that are assembled entirely by hand and then tested for over 15 days on Swiss calibrators to insure accuracy. The watches are then reinspected in the United States upon their arrival.
What makes rare watches rare?
Business Week states it best, "It's the complications that can have the biggest impact on price." (Business Week July, 2003). The four interior complications on our Graves™ watch display the month, day, date and the 24 hour clock graphically depicts the sun and the moon. The innovative engine for this timepiece is powered by the movement of the body as the automatic rotor winds the mainspring. It never needs batteries and never needs to be manually wound. The precision crafted gears are "lubricated" by 27 rubies that give the hands a smooth sweeping movement. And the watch is tough enough to stay water resistant to 5 atmospheres. The movement is covered by a 2-year warranty.
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