Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1994 Case No: D56558, No. 1 Material: 18k white gold, diamond, ruby and mother-of-pearl Calibre: Manual, cal. 5025/2821 Dimensions: 58mm wide Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by a wooden fitted Audemars Piguet presentation box, box key and outer packaging
Catalogue Essay
From this auspicious beginning, Audemars Piguet has always been at the forefront exceptional technical advancements. An exceptional work of art and technical mastery, the watch is fully gem-set with pave diamond dial, case and bow. The diamonds are complimented by ruby-set 12-3-6-9 Roman numerals on the case bezel, as well as ruby dot numerals on the dial and top of the crown.
The 58 mm x 58 mm oversized case impresses with its gem and size and has a built in watch stand so that it can sit upright on a desk or bedside table. Four mother-of-pearl subsidiary dials display the day, date, month with leap year indication and moon phase with lunar calendar.
While this modern timepiece will not be to everyone’s taste, it has to be appreciated for its quality of workmanship and complication. Accompanied with its original Audemars Piguet fitted presentation box, the watch is in excellent condition, and is the perfect union of Haute Horologie and Joaillerie.
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.