製造商: Audemars Piguet 年份: 1941 型號: Photo reference 1532 機芯編號: 45'593 錶殼號碼: 45'593 材料: Stainless steel and 18K pink gold 機芯: Manual, cal. 13VZAH, 21 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: Leather 錶扣: Gilt pin buckle 尺寸: 36mm Diameter 簽名: Case, dial and movement signed 配件: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Authenticity confirming production of the watch in 1941 and its subsequent sale in 1944. 文學: A similar model is featured in Audemars Piguet 20th Century Complicated Wristwatches pp190-191
文學
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.
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.
