Important Watches: Part I
Important Watches: Part I
The Hidden Collection
Tourbillon Automatique 'N°7', Reference 25643BA.O.D002CR.01 | A yellow gold cushion shaped tourbillon wristwatch | Circa 1986
Auction Closed
May 12, 11:39 AM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: champagne
Calibre: cal. 2870 automatic, 33 jewels
Case: 18k yellow gold, snap-on case back
Case number: 7
Closure: 18k yellow gold lug brackets and Audemars Piguet double-folding clasp
Size: 28.5 x 36 mm (width x length including lugs)
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Audemars Piguet hang tag and presentation case with outer packaging
Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.
The legendary reference 25643 is equipped with the calibre 2870, Audemars Piguet's first ever selfwinding tourbillon. The design of the movement was a considerable challenge, given the slim, barely 5.3mm thick size of the watch. The tourbillon is still one of the smallest in the world with a diameter of 7.2mm, as well as one of the lightest at just 0.123 grams. To embellish and set stage for this extreme mechanism, the tourbillon was placed at 11 o'clock representing the sun whose rays adorned the elliptical dial punctuated by 12 circular hour-markers like as many planets. A half-moon shaped aperture at 6 o'clock revealed the self-winding rotor, whose oscillation was reminiscent of the wide balance wheels of historical clocks. To ensure a pure, uncluttered design, the time-setting crown was concealed under the case.
Only 401 watches of this reference were produced from 1986 to 1992 and sold until 1999. The present watch is bearing the extremely low number 7 and has - like other first models - gold lug bar covers.
