849Σ
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 5442
A very fine and rare white gold ultra-thin skeletonized wristwatch with guarantee and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$65,000 - 140,000€7,600 - 16,400$8,300 - 17,900
HK$203,200
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Audemars Piguet
- Year
- Circa 1974
- Reference No
- 5442
- Movement No
- 136’035
- Case No
- 76’949
- Material
- 18K white gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 2120 SQ, 36 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Crocodile
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K white gold Audemars Piguet pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 32mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Audemars Piguet guarantee stamped Geneva Watch Co. Hong Kong, dated 18 November 1974, hang tag and fitted presentation box.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
This Audemars Piguet ref. 5442 exemplifies the pinnacle of craftsmanship during a pivotal moment in history. As quartz technology threatened tradition, the Le Brassus workshops painstakingly created their first skeletonized watch in 1973 featuring the slender cal. 2120.
Each openworked engraving demanded 150 hours of skilled artistry, limiting production to only around 30 pieces annually until 1976. The present example in white gold from circa 1974, bearing movement number 136’035 belongs to the first batch of 100 openworked movement created for calibre 2120. Another example recently sold by Phillips in May 2024 bears a movement number 136’063 with a Khanjar coat of arms engraved rotor made for the Sultanate of Oman.
As post-war watchmaking was characterized by the production of ultra-thin selfwinding movements, the legendary cal. 2120 fitted into the present timepiece was introduced in 1967, and measures a mere thickness of 2.45 mm. It was rooted from a collaboration between Audemars Piguet, LeCoultre & Cie and Vacheron Constantin, and ultimately becoming the calibre powering the first Royal Oak wristwatches in 1972.
Preserved in barely worn condition and complete with original guarantee and presentation box, this timepiece is a rare treasure to come across.
Each openworked engraving demanded 150 hours of skilled artistry, limiting production to only around 30 pieces annually until 1976. The present example in white gold from circa 1974, bearing movement number 136’035 belongs to the first batch of 100 openworked movement created for calibre 2120. Another example recently sold by Phillips in May 2024 bears a movement number 136’063 with a Khanjar coat of arms engraved rotor made for the Sultanate of Oman.
As post-war watchmaking was characterized by the production of ultra-thin selfwinding movements, the legendary cal. 2120 fitted into the present timepiece was introduced in 1967, and measures a mere thickness of 2.45 mm. It was rooted from a collaboration between Audemars Piguet, LeCoultre & Cie and Vacheron Constantin, and ultimately becoming the calibre powering the first Royal Oak wristwatches in 1972.
Preserved in barely worn condition and complete with original guarantee and presentation box, this timepiece is a rare treasure to come across.
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.