Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 13, 2012

LOT 429

AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK, AUTOMATIC, TANTALUM AND PINK GOLD Audemars Piguet, Genève, "Royal Oak", Automatic, No. 259, Movement No. 425771, case No. D63030, Ref. 1479TR. Made in 1996. Fine and very rare, automatic, tonneau-shaped, waterresistant, tantalum and 18K pink gold mid-size wristwatch with date and a tantalum and 18K pink gold Audemars Piguet bracelet with deployant clasp. Accompanied by a fitted box and an Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin.

CHF 7,000 - 12,000

USD 7,500 - 13,000 / EUR 5,800 - 10,000

Sold: CHF 8,750

C. Two-body, bi-color, polished and brushed, octagonal bezel with 8 hexagonal white gold screws and 8 white gold nuts on the case back, hexagonal winding- crown, sapphire crystal. D. Anthracite with luminous applied pink gold indexes, aperture for the date. Luminous pink gold "bâton" hands. M. Cal. 2125, 12.5??, 33 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock absorber, selfcompensating fl at balance spring, 21K gold rotor segment. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 8 mm. Approx. overall length 185 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 2

Very good

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

Audemars Piguet was inspired to start working on tantalum from the King of Spain that had his armor blue steeled. The manufacture was the first manufacture to produce pieces in a tantalum case. Renowned to be very diffi cult to work with, tantalum has the advantage of being close to the weight of gold and can be worn by individuals that are allergic to steel. Made by the fi rm in tantalum, tantalum and steel and tantalum and pink gold, the pieces were made in a limited production and have an instantly recognizable look.