| Brand | Audemars Piguet |
|---|---|
| Model | |
| Year of production (circa) | 1951 |
| Material | 18k Yellow gold |
| Crystal | Acrylic |
| Dial color | Gold |
| Movement | Hand-wound |
| Diameter | 33 mm |
| Bracelet/strap: | Leather |
| Buckle/clasp | Original gold buckle |
| Lug Width | 18 mm |
| Set Content | Certificate of origin, Original box, Service papers 2022 |
A-Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet Dress watch “World Timer” Ref. 10198
We did some digging through the history of the brand, trying to acquire relevant information about the World Timer we are speaking off. The watch dating back to 1951 and featuring a world-timer complication was very uncommon, with commercial air travel being only accessible to a very select group of people. Then it clicked, we argue that this watch was a very limited order delivered to different markets. If you have a very keen eye, you might have noticed that the time-zone subdial does not feature a hand of any kind. This was not necessary, the way it works is actually relatively simple for the person who possesses basic mental arithmetic. The arrow facing upward to Rome implies that the before-mentioned order was most likely allocated to the Mid-European time-zone (GMT+2) market, and is in this case specifically in Italy.
This particular watch is provided with an extremely rare VZ movement. The VZ movement line of Audemars Piguet is related to the, known by enthusiasts, Valjoux 23/72. However, there is an important difference between the two. The Valjoux 23s were being used by some different watchmakers simultaneously. Whereas the VZ series were purchased from Valjoux by Audemars Piguet, making this lineage of movements exclusive to Audemars Piguet.
This kind of purchase was rather uncommon as Audemars Piguet made a “movement blank” purchase, meaning that the blank was made up of all the structural elements of the movement and only primary machine work was finalized. This is in contrast to the more common way, purchasing as an ebauche, which essentially is a ready-made movement from which a watch can be instantly built. Because of the ‘’movement blank” purchase, Audemars Piguet was able to construct the movement to an incredibly high standard.
Did we get you curious about the complete story of this rare Audemars Piguet, which comes with the original box, 2022 service papers, and a ‘certificate d’authenticite’ from Audemars Piquet, is executed in a 33mm 18k gold case and even comes with the original buckle? It will be shown at the PAN Amsterdam art and design fair, from 20-27 November. Give us a visit and be surprised by our extremely fine curated collection of wristwatches. For now, you can read the full blog story on this watch here.
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Backstory
Shipping
Brand
Audemars Piguet
Diameter
33 mm
Model
Dress watch
Bracelet/strap:
Leather
Year of production (circa)
1951
Buckle/clasp
Original gold buckle
Material
18k Yellow gold
Lug Width
18 mm
Crystal
Acrylic
Set Content
Original box, Service papers 2022, Certificate of origin
Dial color
Gold
Warranty
2 year (AWCo)
Movement
Hand-wound
Audemars Piguet was founded by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in 1875. The name Audemars Piguet & Cie was registered in 1881. AP is regarded as one of the holy trinity watchmakers, together with Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
Audemars Piguet has a rather impressive list of innovations to its name. From the world’s first minute-repeater wristwatch movement (1892), to the first jump-hour wristwatch (1921) and the first skeletonized watch (1934).
AP is particularly skilled at making thin movements. In 1946, they set the record for the worlds thinnest watch caliber at 1,64mm’s. They would later repeat their thinness-record-breaking habit with a tourbillon movement and later with the world’s thinnest automatic perpetual calendar.
Audemars Piguet is well known for its formal watches. From the Calatrava style watches of the early 20th century, to the elaborate haute-horology marvels of today. Their single most successful watch is something else entirely though: the Royal Oak.
The Royal Oak singlehandedly saved Audemars Piguet and much of the high-end Swiss watchmaking industry in 1972, by providing an answer to cheap quartz watches: the luxury steel sports watch. A design by Gerald Genta that would set a template for everyone. Since then, every watchbrand strives for a hit sports watch in steel. It is the horological equivalent to the Christmas hitsong.
AP has been particularly successful with the Royal Oak’s many variations since. From precious metal and complicated variants, to the more brutalist Royal Oak Offshore line. But even if you look beyond the sports models, there are many highly refined gems in both the current lineup as well as throughout the house’s illustrious history.
If a Rolex is like a Porsche, then an Audemars is like a Rolls Royce. It is every bit of luxury dialed up to eleven in an elegant, old-world kind of way. It is equal parts tradition and craftsmanship. If that speaks to you, look no further!
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