Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips
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    • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
      Year: 1929
      Movement No: 38607
      Case No: 38607
      Model Name: Heure Sautante
      Material: 18K white and pink gold
      Calibre: Manual, cal. 10''' GHSM, 17 jewels
      Bracelet/Strap: Leather
      Clasp/Buckle: Metal pin buckle
      Dimensions: 25mm wide and 38.5mm long
      Signed: Case and movement signed Audemars Piguet & Co.
      Accessories: Accompanied by an Audemars Piguet presentation box
      Literature: A similar watch is illustrated in Audemars Piguet, by Gisbert L. Brunner, Christian Pfeiffer-Belli, Martin K. Wehrli, first edition, page 210

    • Literature

      A similar watch is illustrated in Audemars Piguet, by Gisbert L. Brunner, Christian Pfeiffer-Belli, Martin K. Wehrli, first edition, page 210

    • Catalogue Essay

      Not long after World War I ended, Audemars Piguet began to market a new way of telling time, reflecting the recent need for functionality and practicality in everyday life. Emerging from the Art Deco period with pure lines and geometric aesthetics, Audemars Piguet presented its first wristwatch with digital display in 1921. Named “jumping hour”, the numeral indicating the hour would appear and disappear in an instant through a window at twelve o’clock thanks to a rotating disk, while the minutes were displayed through an aperture at six o’clock, also via rotating discs.

      The present watch is the perfect example of such creation. Cased in two-tone white and pink gold with Art Deco numerals, the watch whispers sotto-voce elegance. The case measures 25mm wide and 38.5mm long and dresses the wrist to perfection. Not gaudy nor flashy, only the collector with the most discerning eyes will discern such a timepiece as a piece of history and good taste.

      According to Audemars Piguet Archives, the present watch was sold in New York in 1929. Taking into account the great economic depression after the crash of Wall Street in 1929, the original owner of the piece must have been an extremely wealthy gentleman with distinguish taste to be fortunate enough to order a wristwatch made in Switzerland and cased in no less that 18K white and pink gold.

    • Artist Biography

      Audemars Piguet

      Swiss • 1881

      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.

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143

A rare and elegant white and pink gold rectangular jumping hour wristwatch

1929
25mm wide and 38.5mm long
Case and movement signed Audemars Piguet & Co.

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€24,600-49,100
$26,500-53,100

Sold for CHF52,920

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022