Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Jun 15, 2005

LOT 60

"Tourbillon Automatique" Audemars Piguet, Genève, "Tourbillon Automatique", No. 266. Production of this reference started in 1986. Very fine and very unusual, thin, rectangular "galbé", self-winding, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator and an integrated, 18K yellow gold and abalone shell Audemars Piguet link bracelet with deployant clasp.

USD 17,000 - 22,000

EUR 13,000 - 17,000

Sold: USD 18,400

C. Two-body, solid, polished and brushed, stepped bezel, back winder,sapphire crystal. D. Yellow gold and abalone shell in a "Sun Ray" pattern,gold dot indexes for the hours, apertures for the visible tourbillon regulatorwith polished steel bridge at 11 and at 6 for the oscillatingweight with the initials "AP." Black oxydized gold "feuille"hands. M. Cal. 11''', hand-engraved, 32 jewels, straight linelever escapement with visible one-minute tourbillon regulatorwith titanium cage, monometallic balance, selfcompensatingflat balance-spring. Dial and movementsigned, case numbered.Dim. 29 x 36 mm. Thickness 5.3 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 1 - 01

Notes

This watch, the first model of a self-winding wristwatch ever made with a tourbillon movement, is the thinnest and smallest in the world. The movement is only 4.8 mm. thick, obliging Audemars Piguet to use 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, yet strong and resistant metal.