Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 1970 Reference No: 5273 Movement No: 102'839 Case No: 58'205 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2120, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle further accompanied by a generic stainless steel deployant clasp Dimensions: 34mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet cardboard service box
Catalogue Essay
Born in 1875 following the alliance of Jules Audemars and Edward Piguet, the brand is often referred to as the "Young Prince" as its first watches saw the light of day significantly later than that of the other two historical Geneva brands: Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe.
Certainly young but no less refined and elegant, Audemars Piguet has always maintained a fine balance between their offerings of bold and audacious timepieces as well as the more classical, like the present lot. The present lot houses one of the most historically important movements ever made. From the mid- 1950s, brands were searching for ways of proving their technical mastery, not only in complications but also in creating slim movements.
In 1966, Audemars Piguet in conjunction with Jaeger LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin, started work on creating an ultra thin automatic movement. In 1967 the 2.45mm thick calibre 2120 was launched, with the particularity of having the rotor placed on a “rail” with the mass turning around the movement and not on top of it, making it the thinnest automatic movement ever created, a record it held up to the early Millenium. This caliber was then used in the new Royal Oak that was presented in 1972.
This reference 5273 features an early version of the cal. 2120 with Gyromax balance. It impresses not only with its ultra-thin case measuring less than 6mm thick but also its overall excellent condition with the engraved numerals on the back being perfectly crisp.
This Audemars Piguet would be an excellent addition to the collection of someone looking for a rare and historically important wristwatch.
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.