Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 1995 Reference No: PT25720/002 Movement No: 375'781 Case No: D8'262 Model Name: Star Wheel Material: Platinum Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2124, 33 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Audemars Piguet pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial movement and pin buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin stamped Taiwan and leather box.
Catalogue Essay
Contained within the centre of the dial is the main attraction of the present timepiece – the wandering-hours display. A watch with no hands; the Star Wheel must be one of, if not, the most daring and avant-garde timepieces in the Audemars Piguet collection. It was in 1991 that Audemars Piguet rediscovered and reintroduced this unusual mechanism that originally elaborated in the 18th century upon the request of Pope Alexander VII.
Joining creativity, beauty and technical wonder, the asymmetrical time display is made thanks to three rotating sapphire disks with printed hours rotating on a centre wheel respectively pointing to the minutes on the upper part of the dial. The model was made available in yellow gold, pink gold, stainless steel and platinum with either a guilloché dial or a floral engraved decoration.
The present watch feels slim on the wrist, measuring a subtle 36mm, yet its delicate floral engraved lower dial, and stepped platinum case gives it undeniable gravitas. Presented in excellent overall condition and accompanied by its certificate and original presentation box, this Star Wheel will delight the collector who is looking for a rare and elegant timepiece that will keep on surprising every time one lays eyes on it.
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.