BLU Only Watch, Gagarin Platinum Flying Tourbillon Extremely fine, unique, platinum, water-resistant wristwatch celebrating the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s historic flight in space with 108-minute orbiting one-minute flying tourbillon, integral rotating magnifying glass, 18K gold hand-engraved map of the world dial with platinum buckle.
Case: Circular, polished and brushed, angled lugs, protected winding crown, integral rotating magnifying glass ring with catch inspired by a hatch on Vostok-1, domed sapphire crystal.
Dial: Brushed anthracite, the outer border inscribed “First Man in Space – 12 April 1961 – Duration 108 Min”, the center with applied hand-engraved map of the world dial, the tourbillon orbiting above the dial every 108 minutes (Gagarin orbited the earth in 108 minutes). Hands with luminous inserts.
Movement: Caliber BL0611, 35 jewels, triple barrels, lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance, flat balance spring, one-minute flying tourbillon regulator, with titanium cage forming the word “VOSTOK”, orbiting the dial counterclockwise every 108 minutes. Dimensions: Diam. 42 mm.
Estimated Price: €200,000 – 300,000
Realised Price: €300,000
About BLU
Founded in 2000, BLU SA is an integrated watchmaking manufacture specializing in exclusive haute horlogerie with a difference. BLU’s timepieces offer more than simple displays of hours and minutes ― BLU encompasses the best in traditional fine watchmaking while developing creative technical solutions to offer new ways of conveying time.
“I have gone beyond the stage of illustrating the technique of watchmaking, of making complications for the sake of making complications. When I design a watch, I do not think in terms of technical expertise. I always try to go to the very depth of its origins, going where no one has gone before. The new idea should provoke my curiosity and give my creative instinct a challenge. Even among complications, simplicity is key” ― Bernhard Lederer.
In addition to his vision, Lederer stresses the importance of craftsmanship, which is why BLU craft the majority of their components in their comprehensively equipped production facility adjacent to their watchmaking atelier in Colombier, on Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland. After the components are superbly finished, all BLU watches are assembled, adjusted and test by one watchmaker at their atelier.