Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1908/1970
    Reference No: 5543BA
    Movement No: 12'535
    Case No: 12'535
    Model Name: "Grande Complication"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 18SMCRQV, 34 jewels
    Dimensions: 50mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Extrait de Registre confirming production of the present movement in 1908 and its subsequent sale in 1970.
    Literature: A similar watch is illustrated in Audemars Piguet by Brunner, Pfeiffer-Belli and Wehrli, p. 155.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch features the three elements that collectors and scholars define as a “Grande Complication”: a minute repeater, a perpetual calendar and a split-seconds complication.

    In terms of technical mastery, Audemars Piguet is one of the "greats", not only in creating renowned complications under its own name but also in supplying movements to other brands.

    The movement of the present lot dates from 1908. However, it was only cased in 1970. Its large stepped case and balanced dial is complemented by the sublime hand-decorated movement. It is interesting to note that in the early 1970s, despite the decline in demand for pocket watches due to the Quartz crisis, Audemars Piguet continued producing extraordinarily costly pocket watches, beautifully embodying the brand's expertise in complications.

    Furthermore, the minute repeating mechanism chimes with great tone and clarity, attesting to the manufacture's mastery.

  • 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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Ref. 5543BA
A very rare and attractive yellow gold open face minute repeating perpetual calendar pocketwatch with split-seconds chronograph with 30 minute register and moonphases

1908/1970
50mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 90,000 
€51,400-77,200
$63,500-95,300

Sold for CHF70,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018