Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: XII Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1930/2020
    Movement No: 40'627
    Case No: 40'627
    Material: 18K white and pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Audemars Piguet leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Audemars Piguet pin buckle
    Dimensions: 25mm Width, 36mm Length
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Authenticity confirming production of this watch in 1930 and the reconstruction of the case in 2020. Further accompanied by Audemars Piguet Service guarantee dated July 21, 2020.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rare is a word that can hardly start to describe vintage Audemars Piguet complicated watches like the present triple calendar with moonphase, merging exquisite quality, superb aesthetics and technical ingenuity.
    Audemars Piguet created its first calendar wristwatch, based on the 10HPVM movement, in 1924 for Swiss watch retailer Gübelin. In the following years Audemars Piguet housed this caliber in different case shapes from rectangular, to cushion, totrue, and round.

    According to the book “Audemars Piguet 20th Century Complicated Wristwatches” published by the brand, 48 watches with a rectangular or “forme carrée long” (long square shape) were made like the present watch of which only 9 are known and referred to as photographs 180 and 180B in their archives.

    The present example in white and pink gold being the only one made in this combination.

    The present watch is a potent mix of Audemars Piguet’s history and contemporary prowess. The collector consigning this watch was in possession of the dial and movement but the case was gone missing. Could it have been sold for the price of gold after World War II, something that was not unusual at the time. That much we do not know, however what we do know is that the consignor had the brilliant idea of requesting Audemars Piguet to recreate a new case, identical to the one noted in their archives for the movement number. The new case is identical to the original one in white gold and rose gold back bearing number 40627.
    It is heartwarming to see that such a rare and important watch was saved from oblivion with the creation of a new case. It is a pinnacle of horological and design savoir faire and would be an important piece in any vintage collection.

  • 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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A most probably unique and elegant white and pink gold triple calendar wristwatch with moonphases and Breguet numerals

1930/2020
25mm Width, 36mm Length
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 100,000 
€64,900-92,600
$76,300-109,000

Sold for CHF107,100

Contact Specialist

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

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XII

Geneva Auction 6 - 7 November 2020