Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1989 Reference No: 14544BA Movement No: 321'470 Case No: C61916.355 Model Name: Royal Oak Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2131, 19 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet and Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo co-signed Royal Oak 50th Anniversary Attestation.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 14544 is a gemset variant of reference 14486 housing the automatic caliber 2131 and made in around 102 pieces from 1988-1992.
This stunning reference 14544BA is cased in yellow gold and fitted with a diamond bezel and champagne dial. Only a handful in this configuration has appeared on the international auction market, making the present watch a very rare example - most examples of this version in yellow gold display a pavé dial. In general, Audemars Piguet made very few examples with gem-set bezels, making the present model a rarity within their catalog. Furthermore, this particular example is preserved in stunning condition, with sharp numbers on the case back and crisp hallmarks, showing how little intervention the timepiece has seen since it left the Audemars Piguet manufacture in 1989.
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.
