Audemars Piguet - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1929
    Movement No: 11'739
    Case No: 11'739, case further stamped with Cartier reference number 3360 on lug
    Model Name: "Tortue"
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, 10'''MV, 29 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum bracelet
    Clasp/Buckle: Deployant clasp further stamped C+B, and engraved HHW on clasp for Henry Haven Windsor
    Dimensions: 29mm. Width
    Signed: Case and movement signed Audemars Piguet, dial signed Cartier
    Literature: A similar wristwatch produced by Audemars Piguet is illustrated in Audemars Piguet by Brunner Pfeiffer-Belli and Wehrli, pg 256

  • Catalogue Essay

    Audemars Piguet produced approximately thirty-five minute repeating watches from 1906 until the early 1920's with the majority cased as wristwatches.

    Included in this very limited production was another example made for John Wallace Schaeffer, Vice President of the Allied Chemical Corporation, which is presently in the collection of the Audemars Piguet Museum in Switzerland.

    The present watch was originally purchased by Henry Haven Windsor, Jr., the son of the founder of Popular Mechanics magazine and an avid watch collector. After his father's death, when Windsor was 26 he became editor and publisher of the magazine, which had originally been founded in 1902. Under his leadership, the circulation of Popular Mechanics magazine increased to 2 million. In 1927 he was married to the Metropolitan Opera singer, Louise Hunter and together they had two sons, each of whom would go on to also work for the family magazine for a time. Popular Mechanics was sold by Windsor in 1958 to the Hearst Corporation, who still retain ownership of the publication to this day.

    This wonderfully rare and horologically important wristwatch bears the engraving on the reverse of H.H.WINDSOR 200 E. ONTARIO ST. CHICAGO. Few watches from this period have such a presence on the wrist as this example we see here. The combination of many highly desirable elements such as the platinum case, the minute repeating movement, the Cartier signature and Breguet numerals on the dial is impressive. Few complicated vintage wristwatches can better echo the style of the 1920s and 30s as this watch.

  • Artist Biography

    Audemars Piguet

    Swiss • 1881

    A specialist in the manufacture of complications since it was established in 1881, Audemars Piguet never ceases to impress with a rich history of creating bold, even audacious, timepieces underpinned by traditional watchmaking at its finest. This Le Brassus-based Swiss manufacturer is one of only two major manufacturers still owned by the founding family. Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches. The brand is devoted to preserving the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, showcased at their superb museum in Le Brassus.

    Today, the brand is best known for its Royal Oak models, a revolutionary luxury sports watch launched in 1972. Other key models include early minute repeating wristwatches, vintage chronograph wristwatches, such as the oversized reference 5020, perpetual calendar watches and the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced in 1993.

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233

An extremely rare and important platinum cushion-shaped minute repeating wristwatch with Breguet numerals and bracelet, retailed by Cartier

1929
29mm. Width
Case and movement signed Audemars Piguet, dial signed Cartier

Estimate
CHF300,000 - 600,000 

Sold for CHF509,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm