198
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 5504
A fine and extremely rare yellow gold triple calendar wristwatch with moonphases
- Estimate
- CHF60,000 - 90,000€55,600 - 83,400$59,500 - 89,200
CHF131,250
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Audemars Piguet
- Year
- 1949
- Reference No
- 5504
- Movement No
- 54'807
- Case No
- 54'807
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 9/10RSQ, 18 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- gold plated pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 37mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial and movement signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Audemars Piguet’s vintage full calendar timepieces are amongst the rarest and most desirable on the market.
The present reference 5504, manufactured in 1949, is easily recognizable by its large 37mm case, elongated slim lugs and date chapter ring that is printed in an inner circle below the indexes. According to Audemars Piguet's archives, reference 5504 was made in 20 pieces. Today, only nine are known, amongst which four are owned by Audemars Piguet, with one in the Audemars Piguet Museum in Brassus. The other three are exhibited during traveling exhibitions.
The present lot is hence part of the 5 known examples, which are not in the Audemars Piguet collection. As such, this is an incredible opportunity to acquire such a rare gem. Housed within is Audemars Piguet’s Cal. 9/10RQ modified to feature calendar and moonphase functions, this movement was used in only 68 models divided between four different references.
Reference 5504 is one of the largest calendar watches of its era, standing proudly at 37 millimeters and made at a time when the competition in Geneva was making calendar watches hardly reaching 35 millimeters, giving the present lot even greater charisma and cachet.
Of exquisite quality overall, the dial, with its applied Arabic hour markers, features raised, hard enamel printing. A beautiful moonphase indicator is found at 6 o’clock, made of gold and blue lacquer.
The rarity, large diameter, attractiveness, wearability and well preserved condition of this watch will delight any enthusiast of vintage timepieces.
The present reference 5504, manufactured in 1949, is easily recognizable by its large 37mm case, elongated slim lugs and date chapter ring that is printed in an inner circle below the indexes. According to Audemars Piguet's archives, reference 5504 was made in 20 pieces. Today, only nine are known, amongst which four are owned by Audemars Piguet, with one in the Audemars Piguet Museum in Brassus. The other three are exhibited during traveling exhibitions.
The present lot is hence part of the 5 known examples, which are not in the Audemars Piguet collection. As such, this is an incredible opportunity to acquire such a rare gem. Housed within is Audemars Piguet’s Cal. 9/10RQ modified to feature calendar and moonphase functions, this movement was used in only 68 models divided between four different references.
Reference 5504 is one of the largest calendar watches of its era, standing proudly at 37 millimeters and made at a time when the competition in Geneva was making calendar watches hardly reaching 35 millimeters, giving the present lot even greater charisma and cachet.
Of exquisite quality overall, the dial, with its applied Arabic hour markers, features raised, hard enamel printing. A beautiful moonphase indicator is found at 6 o’clock, made of gold and blue lacquer.
The rarity, large diameter, attractiveness, wearability and well preserved condition of this watch will delight any enthusiast of vintage timepieces.
Literature
Audemars Piguet
Swiss | 1881A 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.
Browse MakerToday, 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.