Audemars Piguet - RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020 Geneva Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 2008
    Reference No: 26072TI.OO.D002CR.01
    Movement No: 600'889
    Case No: E99960 and 10/10
    Model Name: Jules Audemars
    Material: Titanium
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 2882, 32 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Titanium Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet warranty dated 28th July 2008 stamped Audemars Piguet Boutique New York, instruction manual, hang tag, additional leather bracelet, quality control certificate, Audemars Piguet wooden piano shaped amplifying display case, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Audemars Piguet is one of the most hallowed watchmaking brands, and one of the last family-owned manufacturers. While nowadays most renowned for the Royal Oak line of timepieces, the brand’s more classical creations are absolute masterpieces of design and technology, and manufactured in extremely restricted numbers. Both the ultimate mastery of the art and the limited output are a direct link with the past of Audemars Piguet. In fact, the company is possibly the last Swiss brand to use - well into the second half of the twentieth century - the etablissage system, consisting in a myriad of small highly specialised suppliers each producing specific components of the watch (gears, springs, dials, hands etc.) which are assembled by the manufacturer in-house, implying a very low production.

    The present example marvelously exemplifies how the brand manages to interpret its distinguished heritage in light of the modern evolution of watchmaking design. It features the two arguably most sought-after horological complications - the tourbillon and the minute repeater, but the case is made out of titanium, making the piece a nearly unbelievably lightweight. The dial design is simple but full of character, the exposed tourbillon being the undoubted protagonist, subtly complemented by the guillochage and the asymmetric chapter ring for the hours.

    Under a technical point of view, the watch hides a remarkable surprise: instead of using the standard arrangement for the minute repeater (1 to 12 low-pitched chimes for the hours, 1 to 3 double chimes for the quarters, and up to 14 high-pitched chimes for the minutes), the present movement strikes hours, tens of minutes, and minutes. For example, at 11:55, one will hear 11 low-pitched chimes, 5 double chimes and 5 high-pitched chimes. A highly unusual combination which underlines the utmost mastery of the craft achieved by the company.

    The last example (10/10) of a numbered 10 pieces series, the watch is offered in extremely well-preserved condition and complete of all its accessories, including the Audemars Piguet warranty dated 28th July 2008 stamped Audemars Piguet Boutique New York, instruction manual, hang tag, additional leather bracelet, quality control certificate, Audemars Piguet wooden piano shaped amplifying display case, outer packaging and fitted presentation box. This is an unmissable opportunity for the collector of rare and highly complicated works of horological art.

    The present watch is being sold to benefit The One Drop Foundation, a charity striving to provide safe drinking water to all communities.

  • 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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245

Ref. 26072TI.OO.D002CR.01
An extremely rare, complicated and unusual titanium minute repeating wristwatch with tourbillon regulator, Certificate and box, number 10 of a 10 pieces limited edition

2008
39mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 80,000 
€37,400-74,900
$44,400-88,700

Sold for CHF88,200

Contact Specialist

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

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031

WatchesHK@phillips.com

RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020

Geneva Auction 8 November 2020