Rare is a word that can hardly start to describe vintage Audemars Piguet complicated watches like the present triple calendar with moonphase, merging exquisite quality, superb aesthetics and technical ingenuity.
Audemars Piguet created its first calendar wristwatch, based on the 10HPVM movement, in 1924 for Swiss watch retailer Gübelin. In the following years Audemars Piguet housed this caliber in different case shapes from rectangular, to cushion, totrue, and round.

According to the book “Audemars Piguet 20th Century Complicated Wristwatches” published by the brand, 48 watches with a rectangular or “forme carrée long” (long square shape) were made like the present watch of which only 9 are known and referred to as photographs 180 and 180B in their archives.

The present example in white and pink gold being the only one made in this combination.

The present watch is a potent mix of Audemars Piguet’s history and contemporary prowess. The collector consigning this watch was in possession of the dial and movement but the case was gone missing. Could it have been sold for the price of gold after World War II, something that was not unusual at the time. That much we do not know, however what we do know is that the consignor had the brilliant idea of requesting Audemars Piguet to recreate a new case, identical to the one noted in their archives for the movement number. The new case is identical to the original one in white gold and rose gold back bearing number 40627.
It is heartwarming to see that such a rare and important watch was saved from oblivion with the creation of a new case. It is a pinnacle of horological and design savoir faire and would be an important piece in any vintage collection.