In the early 1930s, Audemars Piguet customized a watch for John Shaeffer, the then vice-chairperson of the Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation, to have the 12 letters of his name used as hour markers. The manufacturer granted his wish, and retrofitted his minute repeater as desired.

In 1992, Audemars Piguet returned to the creation of chiming watches. According to the manufacture itself, this astounding revival was set against an unprecedented backdrop of the quartz crisis. By creating technological breakthroughs, Audemars Piguet solidified the status of Swiss watchmaking by strengthening the industry and and celebrating the complexity of mechanical watches.

In the 1990s, Audemars Piguet launched a special cushion shaped collection under the moniker of the John Shaeffer Collection - this was created as a response to the success of the original John Shaeffer model exhibited during the Audemars Piguet museum opening in 1992. The present watch is housed in a platinum-shaped case very similar in style to the original Shaeffer watch. It chimes with great tone and clarity. This example notably features a beautifully constructed open worked skeletonized dial and movement that is decorated to perfection. Research shows that 45 examples of the reference were made during the production period.