Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 409

Audemars Piguet, Genève, "Tourbillon Automatique", No. 73. Production of this reference started in 1986.Fine and interesting, flat, self-winding, rectangular "galbé", 18K yellow gold gentleman's wrist-watch with one minute tourbillon regulator and an 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet buckle.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 17,000 - 20,000

Sold: CHF 29,900

C. two-body, solid, polished and brushed, stepped bezel, teardrop and hooded lugs, back winder. D. yellow gold with embossed sun ray design, dot indexes for the hours, apertures for the visible tourbillon regulator on the 11, and on the 6 for the oscil-lating weight of the automatic winding bearing the initials AP. "Feuille" burnished steel hands. M. Cal. 11''', engraved, 32 je-wels, one minute tourbillon regulator with titanium cage, lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating flat balance-spring. Dial and movement signed.Crystal and movement signed, numbered on the case.Dim. 36 x 29 mm.


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Grading System
Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

This wristwatch is not only the first model of self-winding wristwatches made with a tourbillon movement, but it is also the world's flattest and smallest. The movement is only 4.8 mm thick, and Audemars Piguet therefore used the back of the case as the back plate. For the first time in the history of horology, it was possible to realize a tourbillon cage in titanium, a very light and resistant metal. This model was presented for the first time in 1986.Similar watches are published is published in Audemars Piguet, by G. Brunner, C. Pfeiffer-Belli and M. K. Wehrli, 1993, pp. 274-275.