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Lot Essay
Audemars Piguet established the groundwork for its outstanding reputation today with timepieces such as the present unique example. This exceptional timepiece gives collectors the chance to own not only an extremely intricate watch of the highest caliber and desirability, but also a genuinely noteworthy period in Audemars Piguet's history. The lot is consigned by a notable private collector, whose interests have been devoted to the pursuit of rare and finely executed complicated pocket watches.
This stunning reference 25630 Grande Complication, which has a pavé diamond-set dial and is numbered '001', was made as a one-of-a-kind piece. Although it is believed to have originated in the 1930s, one of the great 'golden ages' of grande complication watchmaking, the Audemars Piguet Archives states that the movement ébauche was purchased from LeCoultre & Cie in 1973. The watch was sold in Hong Kong on August 11 1986, after Audemars Piguet finished the movement as calibre 'JSMCCRVQ'.
The pinnacle of traditional horological excellence is a Grande Complication. Most people agree that the traditional 'triple crown' of watchmaking consists of a minute repeater, a split-second chronograph, and a perpetual calendar with moon phases. The interpretations of these mechanical masterpieces by Audemars Piguet are regarded as some of the best ever created. Surprisingly, the company has been producing grand complication watches continuously since 1882. Only 58 Audemars Piguet grande complication wristwatches were made in the 120 years preceding 2002, demonstrating the exceptional skill, time, and resources needed to produce such timepieces. The grand complication has long been the preferred watch among the world's wealthiest and most discriminating collectors.
An Audemars Piguet Grande Complication typically needs to have a few required characteristics in order to be eligible for the designation. These include a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, and a split-seconds chronograph, which Louis Perrelet patented in 1827 and in which Jules Audemars excelled from the start. In addition to these three primary complications, every Audemars Piguet grande complication watch also features a moon phase display.
The present timepiece, which exemplifies Audemars Piguet's dominance in traditional high watchmaking, is a remarkable feat of horology and the ultimate reward for the discerning collector.
This ‘Grande Complication’ impresses with no less than 10 complications:
1. The perpetual calendar
2. The days of the week
3. The months
4. The days of the month
5. The leap-year indication
6. The chronograph
7. The 30-minute register
8. The split seconds
9. The minute repeating
10. The phases of the moon & moon’s age
This stunning reference 25630 Grande Complication, which has a pavé diamond-set dial and is numbered '001', was made as a one-of-a-kind piece. Although it is believed to have originated in the 1930s, one of the great 'golden ages' of grande complication watchmaking, the Audemars Piguet Archives states that the movement ébauche was purchased from LeCoultre & Cie in 1973. The watch was sold in Hong Kong on August 11 1986, after Audemars Piguet finished the movement as calibre 'JSMCCRVQ'.
The pinnacle of traditional horological excellence is a Grande Complication. Most people agree that the traditional 'triple crown' of watchmaking consists of a minute repeater, a split-second chronograph, and a perpetual calendar with moon phases. The interpretations of these mechanical masterpieces by Audemars Piguet are regarded as some of the best ever created. Surprisingly, the company has been producing grand complication watches continuously since 1882. Only 58 Audemars Piguet grande complication wristwatches were made in the 120 years preceding 2002, demonstrating the exceptional skill, time, and resources needed to produce such timepieces. The grand complication has long been the preferred watch among the world's wealthiest and most discriminating collectors.
An Audemars Piguet Grande Complication typically needs to have a few required characteristics in order to be eligible for the designation. These include a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, and a split-seconds chronograph, which Louis Perrelet patented in 1827 and in which Jules Audemars excelled from the start. In addition to these three primary complications, every Audemars Piguet grande complication watch also features a moon phase display.
The present timepiece, which exemplifies Audemars Piguet's dominance in traditional high watchmaking, is a remarkable feat of horology and the ultimate reward for the discerning collector.
This ‘Grande Complication’ impresses with no less than 10 complications:
1. The perpetual calendar
2. The days of the week
3. The months
4. The days of the month
5. The leap-year indication
6. The chronograph
7. The 30-minute register
8. The split seconds
9. The minute repeating
10. The phases of the moon & moon’s age