Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

New York, Grand Havana Room, Mar 19, 2003

LOT 185

Audemars Piguet, Genève, "Tourbillon Automatique", No. 229. Production of this reference started in 1986.Fine and unusual, thin, self-winding, rectangular "galbé", 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with one minute tourbillon regulator and an 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet deployant clasp.

USD 14,000 - 16,000

EUR 13,000 - 15,000

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 oscillating weight of the automatic winding with the initials AP. "Feuille" burnished steel hands. M. Cal. 11 ''', engraved, 32 jewels, straight line lever escapement with one-minute tourbillon regulator with titanium cage, monometallic balance, selfcompensating flat balance-spring.Dial and movement signed. Case numbered.Dim. 29 x 36 mm.This watch is the first model of self-winding wristwatches ever made with a tourbillon movement and is the thinnest and the smallest in the world. The movement is only 4,8 mm. thick and consequently Audemars Piguet used the back of the case as a back plate. For the first time in the history of horology, it was possible to realize a tourbillon cage in titanium, a very light, yet strong and resistant metal.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3
Movement: 3*
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

This watch is the first model of self-winding wristwatches ever made with a tourbillon movement and is the thinnest and the smallest in the world. The movement is only 4,8 mm. thick and consequently Audemars Piguet used the back of the case as a back plate. For the first time in the history of horology, it was possible to realize a tourbillon cage in titanium, a very light, yet strong and resistant metal.