BLU Gagarin Platinum Flying Tourbillon
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
2011
This unique wristwatch by Bernhard Lederer (BLU), created for the Only Watch 2011 auction, commemorates the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s 1961 flight into space.
Constructed with a 42 mm platinum case, the watch features a brushed anthracite dial center-mounted with an 18K hand-engraved three-dimensional gold map of the world. The timekeeping display includes a one-minute flying tourbillon regulator with a titanium cage shaped to read as 'VOSTOK', which orbits the dial counterclockwise every 108 minutes, mirroring the duration of Gagarin's original orbit. The case incorporates a unique, integral rotating magnifying glass intended to simulate the perspective from a space capsule window.
Powered by the caliber BL0611, the movement includes triple barrels and a lateral lever escapement. The watch is completed with a platinum buckle and an aesthetic design inspired by the Vostok-1 spacecraft hatch.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Flying tourbillon wristwatch
- Maker
- Bernhard Lederer
- Case Diameter
- 42 mm
- Case Material
- Platinum
- Dial Material
- 18K gold and brushed anthracite
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Unique Features
- Integral rotating magnifying glass
- Movement Caliber
- BL0611
- Maker / attribution
- Bernhard Lederer (BLU)
- Tourbillon Function
- 108-minute orbital rotation
Design
- Visible features
- • Integral magnifying glass mechanism positioned over the sapphire crystal • Outer dial ring inscribed with 'First Man in Space - 12 April 1961 - Duration 108 Min' • Tourbillon cage structure integrated into a Vostok letter configuration • Brushed platinum case finish with angled, robust lugs
- Dial and Complications
- The dial is executed in brushed anthracite and features an applied, hand-engraved three-dimensional gold map of the world. The outer border of the dial is engraved with text commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1961 flight of Yuri Gagarin, noting the 108-minute mission duration. The tourbillon serves as a primary complication, which functions as a one-minute flying tourbillon. The tourbillon assembly performs a dual role by orbiting the dial counterclockwise once every 108 minutes. The cage itself is constructed from titanium and is formed into the letters spelling 'VOSTOK'. This movement is coordinated to match the precise orbital time of the original Gagarin mission.
- Movement and Condition
- The watch is powered by the Caliber BL0611 movement, which utilizes 35 jewels. The movement configuration incorporates a triple-barrel system and a lateral lever escapement, paired with a monometallic balance and a flat balance spring. This movement supports the unique orbital rotation of the flying tourbillon regulator. According to the auction description, the condition of the watch is graded as 'As new' across the case, movement, and dial components. This indicates the watch has been maintained in a pristine state of preservation for the Only Watch 2011 exhibition.
- Case and Magnification System
- The watch is housed in a 42 mm platinum case that features a combination of polished and brushed surfaces. The case architecture is specifically engineered with angled lugs and a protected winding crown. A prominent feature is the integral rotating magnifying glass, which is mounted over the domed sapphire crystal. This optical element is secured with a specialized catch mechanism designed to evoke the aesthetic of the hatch found on the Vostok-1 spacecraft. The inclusion of the magnifying loupe allows for a close-up viewing experience of the internal dial details and the tourbillon mechanism. This configuration is stated by the auction house to provide an immersive perspective for the wearer, intended to replicate the experience of observing the Earth from within a space capsule.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The source does not explicitly state the country of manufacture, though it mentions the maker moved to Switzerland in 2000
- Research required: Specific water resistance depth rating is not provided in the source despite the claim of being water-resistant