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Lot Essay
According to the Audemars Piguet Archives, the present timepiece was sold on March 13, 1950.
Carefully looked after over the years and consigned by the family of the original owner, the present timepiece is a unique Audemars Piguet 'Precision', distinguished by its eye-catching observatory-style dial. At its hearts beats one of the most admired manual-winding chronograph movements of the vintage era, the 13VZAS, a large 13-ligne movement supplied by Valjoux. It is interesting to note that although the dial still has the visual structure of a bi-compax chronograph with two subsidiary registers, these indications have been completely redesigned, highlighting the watch's evolution from a sports instrument to a precision-focused timepiece.
What makes the present timepiece so uncommon is the extensive research and modification carried out on the movement. Adjusted and completed to the highest chronometric standards, observatory wristwatches were redesigned for greater precision and represented the highest level of time-only performance for a manufacturer. These pieces were the pinnacle of a brand's technical aspirations, with accuracy being the top priority.
Additionally, the 13VZAS was the ébauche for some of the most renowned chronographs ever made, such as the Patek Philippe 1518 and 2499. Similarities can also be seen with the renowned J.B. Champion Observatory Chronograph, which was sold by Christie's in November 2012. Although there is no known record of Audemars Piguet's movement having been entered into official observatory trials, as was the case with the Patek, the philosophy behind both creations is identical: the relentless pursuit of chronometric excellence.
Carefully looked after over the years and consigned by the family of the original owner, the present timepiece is a unique Audemars Piguet 'Precision', distinguished by its eye-catching observatory-style dial. At its hearts beats one of the most admired manual-winding chronograph movements of the vintage era, the 13VZAS, a large 13-ligne movement supplied by Valjoux. It is interesting to note that although the dial still has the visual structure of a bi-compax chronograph with two subsidiary registers, these indications have been completely redesigned, highlighting the watch's evolution from a sports instrument to a precision-focused timepiece.
What makes the present timepiece so uncommon is the extensive research and modification carried out on the movement. Adjusted and completed to the highest chronometric standards, observatory wristwatches were redesigned for greater precision and represented the highest level of time-only performance for a manufacturer. These pieces were the pinnacle of a brand's technical aspirations, with accuracy being the top priority.
Additionally, the 13VZAS was the ébauche for some of the most renowned chronographs ever made, such as the Patek Philippe 1518 and 2499. Similarities can also be seen with the renowned J.B. Champion Observatory Chronograph, which was sold by Christie's in November 2012. Although there is no known record of Audemars Piguet's movement having been entered into official observatory trials, as was the case with the Patek, the philosophy behind both creations is identical: the relentless pursuit of chronometric excellence.