-Heritage, vintage re-issue, and tribute watches are celebrated in the 21st century watchmaking landscape, as brands seek to reintroduce and spotlight the designs of their past. But not often are these past inspirations reworked to the extent of the [RE]Master 01, a limited edition of 500 pieces released by Audemars Piguet in 2020. It took the public by surprise when the stainless steel and 18K pink gold vintage reference 1533 was rendered in modern livery.

-The [RE]Master 01 is a specific reinterpretation of the latter example, purchased by the brand’s Heritage Department at that auction, and though the case and movement have been modernized, the delicate layout of the dial remains distinctly true to the original, with the red “45”-minute indicator on the minute counter, the elongated Art Deco-style Arabic numerals, and the extended brand signature in period font.

-While the basic design codes of the original case are upheld in the tear drop lugs and two-tone steel and gold case body, it has been upsized to 40mm in diameter. The addition of a sapphire caseback allows Audemars Piguet’s in-house calibre 4409 automatic chronograph movement to be viewed at one’s leisure – a marked change from the vintage manually wound calibre 13VZAH.