Audemars Piguet - The Watch Auction: One Geneva Saturday, May 9, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: Manufactured in 1917
    Movement No: 20'683
    Case No: 20'683
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, 18'''SMCRV, Extra quality
    Dimensions: 46mm. Diameter
    Signed: Movement and case signed Audemars Piguet, dial signed Tiffany & Co

  • Catalogue Essay

    Audemars Piguet were unquestionably at the forefront of watch production, and particularly the production of grand complications from the end of the 19th century.

    In 1899 they manufactured a Grande Complication, the first Grande and Petite Sonnerie on three gongs, alarm, deadbeat seconds, chronograph and jumping seconds, perpetual calendar and split seconds masterpiece. Considering the true complexities of the watch, it was kept to a relatively small size.
    During the years that followed, only around 1’200 watches were made and assembled in house in the first four years. Business boomed during the 1920’s, partly thanks to the endorsement of major houses such as Cartier, Tiffany and Bulgari. Audemars Piguet continued to produce high grade and stylish complicated pocket watches to meet the demands of their glamorous, international clientele.

    The present watch is a perfect example of what was fashionable at the time; crisp lines, fine detail and elegance. The watch also features the extremely rare split-seconds chronograph mechanism.

  • 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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178

A fine and very rare platinum keyless lever open-face minute repeating split seconds watch, retailed by Tiffany

Manufactured in 1917
46mm. Diameter
Movement and case signed Audemars Piguet, dial signed Tiffany & Co

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 60,000 

Sold for CHF37,500

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Watch Auction: One

Geneva Auction 10 May 2015 6:30pm