Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 1980 Reference No: 35715BA Movement No: 263'941 Case No: B65'981 Material: 18K yellow gold, enamel, diamonds and sapphires Calibre: Manual, cal. 5020, 20 jewels Dimensions: 47mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Authenticity and Exclusivity Certificate and box.
Catalogue Essay
This stunning openface watch features a beautifully-rendered hunting scene by enameler NI.GI.Barna. Painted in striking colors, the painting displays lush greens, oranges and browns, perfectly capturing the spirit of the Hunt. Barna was commissioned by Audemars Piguet in the early 1980's to produce a series of enamel openface watches. It is believed fewer than ten were made, each with a different scene, including Bedouin horsemen, a fox hunt scene, three marine scenes and Dionysus with a leopard.
Consigned by the original owner, the present watch is preserved in excellent condition with no cracking to the enamel. While the outside of the enamel painting is framed by brilliant diamonds, the dial also displays diamonds and sapphires, further adding to its appeal.
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.