Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 2009 Reference No: 26356PT.00.D028CR.01 Case No: 642'217 Model Name: Jules Audemars Material: Platinum Calibre: Manual, cal. 2907, 35 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Audemars Piguet deployant buckle Dimensions: 43mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied with an Audemars Piguet Extract of Archive.
Catalogue Essay
The Jules Audemars Collection pays tribute to one of the founding members of the brand who was a pioneer in complicated timepiece design. He was said to have created approximately twenty complex movements and used these as collateral when he entered his partnership with Edward Piguet in 1881. It is a fitting tribute to him that this line of watches includes many rare and exceptional timepieces including this impressive skeletonized Jump Hour minute repeating wristwatch.
The minute repeating timepiece is a highlight of any collection and when combined with the elegance of the Jump Hour the resultant watch is a classic icon. The Jump Hour mechanism was developed by the French clockmaker Blondeau in 1830 and provided a new and ingenious way to display time. A central window on the dial featured the hour of the day and changed instantaneously at the end of sixty minutes. The first commercially produced watches became available in the late 19th century following the invention of Austrain Josef Pallweber. Firms like Audemars Piguet produced both pocket watches and wristwatches in the early 20th century and they have a clean sleek appeal with an uncluttered dial.
The present platinum minute repeating Jump Hour is a lovely manually wound timepiece with a clear and melodic tone. It is both a tribute to a watchmaker who excelled and a brand that seeks innovative challenges.
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.