Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 1975 Reference No: BA 5666 Movement No: 154'032 Case No: 88'225 Material: 18K yellow gold and jade Calibre: Manual, cal. 17''', 17 jewels Dimensions: 45mm Width Signed: Case and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Garantie stamped Gübelin, Gübelin invoice dated December 2, 1975, Gübelin leather pouch, Audemars Piguet fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Audemars Piguet is well known for its highly intricate and exceptionally-made skeletonized watches. The present timepiece is no exception. Decorated with hardstone jade panels, it displays a beautifully finished skeletonized movement that perfectly represents the manufacture's skill and know-how. It is particularly noteworthy that this openface watch is designed with a hexagonal shape, which would have required additional effort in carving the hardstone. Even the bow is adorned with jade - not an easy feat, considering how fragile the material is.
Preserved in new-old-stock condition, this timepiece has never seen polishing throughout its lifetime and displays all original factory finishes. It is replete with its original invoice from Gübelin, stating the watch was sold for 12,000 Swiss Francs to Madam F. Meyer in 1975 - an incredible sum for an openface watch during that period. It is also accompanied by an original guarantee also stamped by Gübelin, its fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
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.