Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 2008 Reference No: 25858BC Movement No: 600'149 Case No: F10231 Model Name: Jules Audemars Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 2872, 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Audemars Piguet pin buckle Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Warranty, Authentication and register certificate booklet stamped by Tirana, Albania retailer "La Swiss" and dated December 2008, multiple documents concerning purchase and shipment of the piece at a public sale in 2015, multiple documents concerning an AP service made in 2016, leather Audemars Piguet travel box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Audemars Piguet is one of the most hallowed watchmaking brands, and one of the last family-owned manufacturers. While nowadays most renowned for the Royal Oak line of timepieces, the brand’s more classical creations are absolute masterpieces of design and technology, and manufactured in extremely restricted numbers. Both the ultimate mastery of the art and the limited output are a direct link with the past of Audemars Piguet.
The present example marvelously exemplifies how the brand manages to interpret its distinguished heritage in light of the modern evolution of watchmaking design. It features the two arguably most sought-after horological complications - the tourbillon and the minute repeater - housed in an exquisitely retro-modern Jules Audemars case, inspired by the classic cases of the mid-twentieth century but reinterpreted in a modern key. The dial design is simple but full of character, the exposed tourbillon being the undoubted protagonist, subtly complemented by the guillochage and the asymmetric chapter ring for the hours.
Reappearing after 6 years on the market (being last sold in 2015), the watch has in the meanwhile undergone a complete overhaul by Audemars Piguet - fully detailed by the accompanying documents -
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.