Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips

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    • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
      Year: 1941
      Reference No: Photo reference 1532
      Movement No: 45'593
      Case No: 45'593
      Material: Stainless steel and 18K pink gold
      Calibre: Manual, cal. 13VZAH, 21 jewels
      Bracelet/Strap: Leather
      Clasp/Buckle: Gilt pin buckle
      Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
      Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
      Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Authenticity confirming production of the watch in 1941 and its subsequent sale in 1944.
      Literature: A similar model is featured in Audemars Piguet 20th Century Complicated Wristwatches pp190-191

    • Literature

      A similar model is featured in Audemars Piguet 20th Century Complicated Wristwatches pp190-191

    • Catalogue Essay

      There are few watches that can rival vintage Audemars Piguet chronographs in terms of beauty, desirability and rarity. In fact, little more than three hundred chronographs (regardless of reference) were produced between 1930 and 1962, after which no more were made until the modern era.

      According to the book Audemars Piguet “20th Century Complicated Wristwatches” the present piece bears case shape 10198 and photograph reference 1532, differentiating it from the 3-counter reference 1533 which shares the same case style and was recently reinterpreted as the (Re)Master1 Chronograph.

      The present watch is stunning both in terms of preservation but also design.

      The large 36mm case makes it an extremely rare bird considered that most of the vintage Audemars Piguet chronograph production features diameters varying between 32 and 34mm. Only 19 pieces are known with diameters between 34 and 36mm, and two special order watches were made exceeding this size. The pink gold bezel and chronograph pushers add a wonderful element of flamboyance.

      The dial is a superb study in Bauhaus design with its large numerals at 12 and 6 balancing the chronograph registers at 3 and 9. The 30-minute counter has a 45 indication, often found in vintage Audemars Piguet chronographs. It corresponds to the passing of 45 minutes when the hand has carried out one and a half rotations. This comes from a request from Jacques-Louis Audemars who was a great football fan and who wanted his watch to indicate the half time.

      This stunning chronograph was purchased by the grandfather of the consignor, it features two service marks inside the case back dated 1946 and 1949 meaning it has remained untouched for over 70 years!

      According to Audemars Piguet archives, the present example is part of an extra ordinary limited production run of only 9 pieces made between 1941 and 1942 with 6 pieces in steel and yellow gold with at least 2 in steel and pink gold.

    • 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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142

Ref. Photo reference 1532
An extremely rare and highly important stainless steel and pink gold chronograph wristwatch

1941
36mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 
€68,800-138,000
$74,300-149,000

Sold for CHF163,800

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022