The Audemars Piguet Ref. 5403 is the dressier sibling of the Royal Oak Ref. 5402 with the exact same movement, Caliber 2121, albeit offered in solid 18k yellow gold case with diamond markers and an integrated bracelet.

The movement was the superb automatic caliber 2121, which is still used today for the Royal Oak Jumbo ref.15202. The caliber 2121 was based on the Audemars Piguet caliber 2120 with the addition of a date complication. The caliber 2120 was introduced in 1967, the culmination of a project led by Jaeger-LeCoultre, with the technical contribution of Audemars Piguet and the funding of Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, for the development of an ultra-thin automatic movement. This collaboration resulted in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 920, a highly innovative and reliable movement, that each of the three backers renamed and customized for their own watches, hence the Patek Philippe 28-255 C was used for the Nautilus and the Vacheron Constantin 1120 was fitted to the 222 model.

Featuring a case made and signed by C.R. Spillman, and bracelet signed by maker “GRG”, the present lot is a stunning timepiece that incorporates the history of the caliber 2121 and the lauded heritage of case manufactures in the world of watchmaking.