Audemars Piguet are one of the big three Swiss houses, and this elegant 18k yellow gold dress watch is a fine example of excellent watchmaking. Model number 5091BA
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
We have asked Audemars Piguet to confirm the date of production, and they have confirmed it was sold in 1960.
CONDITION
The fashion, up to recently, has been for large and sometimes brash watches. But more recently the ultrathin watch is making somewhat of a comeback. Far more comfortable to wear, and slipping under a cuff, these qualities have one downside – it is easier (and cheaper) to make bigger watches than ultrathin ones. When Citizen made an ultrathin Eco-drive to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this technology it had a retail price of $6,000. The current Audemars Piguet Ultrathin, albeit 6.7mm thick (but it is an automatic movement) comes in at £23,000. This ultrathin, or ultraflat, watch is by one of the top brands in the World, Audemars Piguet. It uses their experience in fine horology to make a watch just 4.7 mm thin, yet feels superbly built. The case back for example is milled from solid gold, rather than pressed from gold sheet, so it has the required strength yet takes up minimal space. The 1″ case may seem small at first, but square cases to wear larger than round ones as this Hodinkee article explains. The case carries all the correct markings for 18k gold, as well as the factory stamps. The leather strap is new, and has a hallmarked (for 1959) 18k buckle fitted that came with the watch but is not signed AP (stamped MW – Mappin & Webb?).
Inside that case is the Audemars Piguet calibre 2003, sometimes incorrectly identified as the R111A. This movement is actually by Vacheron Constantin, their 1003, and was the worlds thinnest movement for a long time at just 1.64mm. Audemars Piguet clearly thought ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’, and fitted these movements into some of their watches. It is a rare example of a top three company sharing their technology.
This watch will be supplied with a presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
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SIZE
Width with crown 26.7 mm
Width without crown 25.4 mm
Between lugs 16 mm
Lug to lug length 32.0 mm
Case Thickness 4.7 mm
All sizes are approximate.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
