AUREMARS PIGUET. A VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE PLATINUM LIMITED EDITION CUSHION-SHAPED MINUTE REPEATING WRISTWATCH WITH WANDERING HOUR DIAL

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AUDEMARS PIGUETJOHN SCHAEFFER MINUTE REPEATING STAR WHEEL NO. 10/10Audemars Piguet Repeating WatchesOne of Audemars Piguet's early achievements was creating the world's first minute repeating movement for a wristwatch in 1892 (cased and sold by Omega). The company also had the distinction of making the world’s smallest minute repeater sold to Tiffany & Co. New York in 1922. Audemars Piguet have always been at the forefront in the making of watches with this most sought-after of complications, so much so that minute repeaters, perpetual calendars and chronographs became a speciality of the manufacture and played a major part in burnishing their reputation as one of the greatest watch houses. Audemars Piguet played a pioneering role in the revival of the mechanical watch industry after the quartz crisis of the 70s and 80s. In a bold move, the company decided to embark on the development of a minute repeating caliber that would fit within the confines of a wristwatch. After four years of research came the caliber 2865, a minute repeater with jumping hours, launched in 1992. In the same year, Audemars Piguet displayed publically what is arguably their most famous wristwatch with minute repeater complication completed in 1927 for the famed American industrialist John Wallace Shaeffer. This customised version was created in a stunning Art Deco case called “coussin tortue” or “turtle cushion” and the numerals on the dial personalised with the letters of his name, instead of numerals. This original John Shaeffer watch that Audemars Piguet had re-acquired for their museum around that time proved such a draw for the public and watch aficionados that it was decided to launch a new line named after it. The “John Shaeffer” watches included in this auction represent Audemars Piguet's reinvention of the original and classic design. When the new “John Shaeffer” minute repeater watches were launched they caused a sensation in the watch market for their retro styling coupled with exceptional acoustic clarity. The model was an immediate success and in the intervening years it has become an icon and collectors item in its own right. THE PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE EUROPEAN COLLECTION

AUREMARS PIGUET. A VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE PLATINUM LIMITED EDITION CUSHION-SHAPED MINUTE REPEATING WRISTWATCH WITH WANDERING HOUR DIAL

SIGNED AUDEMARS PIGUET, RÉPÉTITION MINUTES, JOHN SCHAEFFER STAR WHEEL MODEL, NO. 10/10, REF. 25881 PT, MOVEMENT NO. 404'203, CASE NO. D71828, CIRCA 1995

Details

AUREMARS PIGUET. A VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE PLATINUM LIMITED EDITION CUSHION-SHAPED MINUTE REPEATING WRISTWATCH WITH WANDERING HOUR DIAL
SIGNED AUDEMARS PIGUET, RÉPÉTITION MINUTES, JOHN SCHAEFFER STAR WHEEL MODEL, NO. 10/10, REF. 25881 PT, MOVEMENT NO. 404'203, CASE NO. D71828, CIRCA 1995
Movement: Cal. 2867, manual, 32 jewels, minute repeating on two gongs, signed
Dial: Signed
Case: Slide on the band for minute repeating, glazed display back secured by 4 screws, 33 mm. wide, 41 mm. overall length, signed
With: Platinum Audemars Piguet buckle, Extrait de Registre dated 19 October 1995, service slip case, presentation box and outer packaging

Special Notice

> Some watches are pictured with straps made of endangered or protected animal materials such as alligator or crocodile. These endangered species straps are shown for display purposes only and are not for sale. Christie’s will remove and retain the strap prior to shipment from the sale site. At some sale sites, Christie’s may, at its discretion, make the displayed endangered species strap available to the buyer of the lot free of charge if collected in person from the sale site within 1 year of the date of the sale. Please check with the department for details on a particular lot. > Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory, tortoiseshell and crocodile. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Lot Essay

Audemars Piguet manufactured their first minute repeating wristwatch in 1907 for the renowned American industrialist John Schaeffer. This customised pioneer version was housed in a cushion-shaped case, the numerals on the dial were personalised with the letters of his name instead of numerals. In the early 1990s, Audemars Piguet launched the “John Shaeffer” limited edition series, paying tribute to the original “coussin tortue” or “cushion turtle” design.

The “Star Wheel” system was invented by the firm at the same period, including different variations of “wandering hour” wristwatches. Three transparent sapphire disks, or star wheels, each inscribed with four hour indicators are attached to a rotating centre wheel. As the assembly turns, the indicator for the actual hour is rotated into view and then passed across a 120-degree minutes sector. The time is read by noting the visible hour pointing to the current minute. Each disk is obscured until it rises into the arc where the background contrasts the digits into legibility.

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