Dial: black
Caliber: cal. 966A mechanical, 28 jewels
Case: 18k white gold, reversible, engraved and enameled case back
Case number: 3’033’453
Closure: 18k white gold Jaeger-LeCoultre buckle
Size: 46.8 x 27.4 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Jaeger-LeCoultre presentation box with outer packaging
A Canadian-born entrepreneur, David Gilmour was a visionary businessman who transformed a remote corner of the South Pacific into a world-renowned destination of luxury and tranquility. In the 1990s, he developed The Wakaya Club & Spa on Wakaya, a small private island he owned in Fiji. Established in 1990 on a former coconut plantation, the resort comprised eight freestanding suites and was conceived a place where Mr. Gilmour’s friends could gather to enjoy the peaceful and relaxed energy of the island.
The idyllic retreat soon attracted an elite clientele, including Tom Cruise, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Keith Richards. During his guests’ visits, Gilmour noticed that many preferred to drink imported water from Geneva. Inspired by Fiji’s natural abundance, he explored the region and learned of an underground aquifer beneath the volcanic highlands of Viti Levu. Rich in silica and filtered naturally through volcanic rock, this water became the foundation of Fiji Natural Artesian Water, launched in 1996. Promoted for its exceptional purity, a reflection of Fiji’s geographic isolation, the brand rapidly achieved global success, becoming the second-largest imported bottled water in the United States after San Pellegrino.
The present watch, featuring a black Art Deco–inspired dial, is a special edition that pays homage to the original Reverso of the 1930s. The reversible case serves as a perfect canvas for the finely engraved and enameled logo of The Wakaya Club & Spa, with Gilmour’s initials below.
Please note that this lot includes endangered species, which will require a CITES permit for export. Please refer to the Guide for Buyers at Auction and Conditions of Business for Buyers for additional information.