Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 1956 Reference No: 5612BC Movement No: 63'246 Case No: 5749 Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 17", 17 jewels Dimensions: 46.5mm Diameter Signed: Case and movement signed. Dial further signed SA Lamine 1er Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Authenticity confirming the sale of the present watch in 1956 with personalized logo of s.a. Lamine 1er (His Highness Lamine I)
Catalogue Essay
Muhammad VIII al-Amin known as Lamine Bey was the last Bey of Tunis and also the only King of Tunisia. He was enthroned in unusual circumstances following the removal of his predecessor by the French Resident General in 1943. It was not until the latter's death in 1948 that his legitimacy was recognized by the people of Tunisia. Made for a king, the present pocket watch displays an extremely elegant and sober dial design. The opaline dial is simply adorned by elongated painted indexes with an impressively long 12 just above the name of the sovereign. The last element of the dial is the Swiss designation at 6 o’clock. Fitted in a slightly Art Deco type white gold case is an ultra-thin Audemars Piguet manual caliber. Altogether, this watch can be considered a hymn to simplicity and good taste. Delivered to the king in 1956, a few months before he had to leave his palace, the watch remains in virtually untouched condition. In addition to its intrinsic value, this watch represents a very important testimony of Tunisia’s history.
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.