Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 1997 Reference No: 25720PT Movement No: 368'539 Case No: D8239 Model Name: Star Wheel Material: Platinum Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2124, 33 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
Even though Audemars Piguet’s motto “To break the rules you must first master them” was introduced in 2012, it never was better embodied than with this model. Introduced in 1989, the Star Wheel collection features an unusual time indication via the star wheel complication - three sapphire disks with printed hours rotate on a center wheel, the hour pointing the minutes on a 120-degree sector. The automatic Audemars Piguet Star Wheel was available in yellow gold, stainless steel or platinum. The present platinum version displays a fantastic pink copper color guilloché lower dial that perfectly underlines the white portion made to graduate the minutes. The almost invisible sapphire disks rotate around the dial to present the correct time. With its unique complication, the Star Wheel draws attention with its elegant simplicity.
A 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.