AUDEMARS PIGUET | A UNIQUE AND RARE YELLOW GOLD AND ENAMEL HUNTER CASE WATCH WITH SKELETONISED DIAL AND POLYCHROME ENAMEL MINATURE PORTRAIT PAINTED BY NI. GI. BARNA DEPICTING MINAMOTO NO YORITOMO, THE FOUNDER AND FIRST SHOGUN OF THE KAMAKURA SHOGUNATE, JAPAN, CIRCA 1980

Dial: skeletonisedCalibre: mechanicalMovement number: 227'983Case: 18k pink gold with enamel miniature painted by Ni. Gi. Barna depicting Minamoto no Yoritomo, cuvette, hinged backCase number: C20406Size: 47 mm diameterSigned: case and movement, enamel signed by Ni. Gi. Barna 

The movement is in working condition at the time of cataloguing. The watch is in lovely condition. The enamel is in very nice condition with no losses of any kind. The case is very crisp and in very attractive overall condition. Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense. Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band. Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Minamoto no Yoritomo, born on 9 May 1147, was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan. He founded the bakufu, which is a system of feudal lords that governed Japan for seven centuries. The present watch features a beautiful enamel miniature portrait of Yoritomo and is painted after the original hanging silk scroll attributed to Fujiwara no Takanobu in 1179. Audemars Piguet commissioned Ni. Gi. Barna and artists highly skilled in miniature enameling. There are only a handful of examples known that were painted by this extremely talented artist. The present watch is in close to unused condition and is the only known example with a skeletonized dial and hunter case.