While Audemars Piguet have established one of the most cherished and respected presence in the world of horology through their renowned timepieces such as the Royal Oak, the firm was also creating some of the most magnificent perpetual calendars with the release of their first self-winding perpetual calendar in 1978 being the world’s thinnest.

Mechanically impressive, the possibilities were endless when it came to design, materials and craftsmanship, the Le Brassus-based manufacture certainly did not shy when it came to experimentation, offering collectors with a wide array of choices to cater towards the vibrant trend of the era. Amidst the heights of the quartz crisis, the creation of the cal. 2120/2800 was quite frantically unheard of during a time when most were shifting their resources into quartz technology. During the period, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe were the only manufacturers serially producing perpetual calendar wristwatches. Developed by four key members of the firm, Michel Rochat, Wilfred Berney, Jean-Daniel Golay and Georges Golay, the self-winding perpetual finally came into life in 1978. Since then, more than 7,000 perpetual calendar wristwatches produced from 1978 – 1993 were utilizing the cal. 2120/2180.

The present example Audemars Piguet perpetual calendar featuring a special platinum 36mm diameter case with decorated corners is a very rare example from the specific era of the cal. 2120/2800. Not only is the case interesting but the blue “Tuscan” dial is what cements the present example as a truly fascinating timepiece. With its caseback inscribed no.001, the present watch is indeed the very first example of the reference that was produced. To our knowledge, it is believed that only 40 examples of the reference were produced and within 30 examples were encased in platinum and only 10 examples in white gold.

Offered in excellent and attractive overall condition, the present timepiece was purchased by the original owner—the chairman of a leading Hong Kong department store and a passionate watch collector—during the booming 80’s. Further confirmed by the Audemars Piguet archives, the watch was delivered and sold to Hong Kong in 1982. A well-preserved neo-vintage example, the present ultra-thin timepiece will surely impress and garner interest from the passionate community of Audemars Piguet collectors.