A watchmaker by training and trade, Jules-Louis Audemars founded Audemars Piguet in 1875 alongside his partner, also a watchmaker, Edward-Auguste Piguet, when both were in their early twenties. Once the company was up and running focusing on high watchmaking complications, Piguet concentrated on the “front-of-house” aspects of the business, while Audemars took charge of the technical horological work. The maison’s early horological accomplishments were therefore achieved under the helm of Jules Audemars, such as creating the first minute-repeating wristwatch movement in 1892, and their “Grande Complication” in 1899.

Fittingly, in the early 1990s Audemars Piguet launched the reference 25873, incorporating a tourbillon and an automatic movement, as well as a power reserve and date display. Within beats the automatic caliber 2875 and a stunning achievement of mechanical mastery. To reduce the thickness of the movement, Audemars Piguet implemented a bumper winding system rather than a rotor, shifting the placement of the crown from its typical location at 3 o’clock to the reverse of the case.

Production of the present model was exceptionally limited, with each example hand-engraved with its series number. The current piece bears the number 12, and is only the second example to ever appear on the secondary market in platinum with smooth white dial. Wearable and well-preserved, this uncommon reference 25873 is a wonderful and well-sized “neo-vintage” timepiece for the connoisseur.