178
Audemars Piguet
A fine and very rare platinum keyless lever open-face minute repeating split seconds watch, retailed by Tiffany
- Estimate
- CHF30,000 - 60,000
CHF37,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Audemars Piguet
- Year
- Manufactured in 1917
- Movement No
- 20'683
- Case No
- 20'683
- Material
- Platinum
- Calibre
- Manual, 18'''SMCRV, <em>Extra quality</em>
- Dimensions
- 46mm. Diameter
- Signed
- <em>Movement and case signed Audemars Piguet, dial signed Tiffany & Co</em>
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
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.
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.
Audemars Piguet
Swiss | 1881A 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.
Browse MakerToday, 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.