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拍品專文
Made in a special edition of only 8 examples for the highly esteemed Japanese retailer Yoshida, the present Jules Audemars skeletonized tourbillon minute repeater chronograph is to the best of our knowledge the first example of the model to appear at international auction. Sold in Japan in 2014, it is furthermore offered in excellent condition.
The reference 26345BC is one of Audemars Piguet’s most exceptional modern high watchmaking creations, the cut-away dial proudly displays the sheer quality, complexity and finish of the work of the company’s best watchmakers. The contrast of the white gold case, black dial chapters and mesmerising visible movement combine in perfect harmony in this undisputed triumph of luxury watchmaking.
The reference 26345 is constructed to include three of the most classic watch complications:
Minute repeater – activated by the slide on the band, the minute repeater tells the time using sound, very useful in conditions where the dial cannot easily be read. The hours, quarter hours and minutes are sounded in a clear melodic tone by two hammers on two coiled gongs curving around the inside perimeter of the case. The hours are struck with single blows, one for each hour elapsed; the quarters with a double blow of different tone for each quarter hour elapsed and the minutes with further single blows, one for each minute elapsed past the quarter hour. First used in watches in the late 17th century, the repeater function has always needed great skill to construct especially on a small enough scale to be fitted in a wristwatch.
Tourbillion – the tourbillon regulator clearly displayed on the present watch is one of the most visually arresting of all watch complications and consequently is extremely popular for use in wristwatches. It does however have a serious practical application and requires considerable skill to construct. The tourbillon is a rotating “cage” with the entire escapement mounted within it, the cage rotates at a speed of usually one-minute and its purpose is to neutralize errors in timekeeping caused by the watch being in different positions during normal use. The tourbillon rotates the balance at a consistent rate so that any negative effects of gravity are eliminated. Invented by the legendary French watchmaker Breguet and patented in 1801, the tourbillon has ever since been considered one of the ultimate watchmaking achievements.
Chronograph – the highly precise chronograph (stopwatch) function was first introduced in watches in the 1860s, it is used to time the duration of an event such as a motor race, the key feature being the ability, via pushers in the band of the case, to start, stop and reset the chronograph hand without interference to the going of the watch. The chronograph has become a very popular feature in wristwatches since the early 20th century and is one of the most functional watch complications even today.
The present highly exclusive timepiece, made in only 8 pieces for Asia is an Audemars Piguet masterpiece combining all three complications together in one watch, an incredible feat of micro-engineering and mathematical genius that cannot fail to impress even the most exacting of collectors.
The reference 26345BC is one of Audemars Piguet’s most exceptional modern high watchmaking creations, the cut-away dial proudly displays the sheer quality, complexity and finish of the work of the company’s best watchmakers. The contrast of the white gold case, black dial chapters and mesmerising visible movement combine in perfect harmony in this undisputed triumph of luxury watchmaking.
The reference 26345 is constructed to include three of the most classic watch complications:
Minute repeater – activated by the slide on the band, the minute repeater tells the time using sound, very useful in conditions where the dial cannot easily be read. The hours, quarter hours and minutes are sounded in a clear melodic tone by two hammers on two coiled gongs curving around the inside perimeter of the case. The hours are struck with single blows, one for each hour elapsed; the quarters with a double blow of different tone for each quarter hour elapsed and the minutes with further single blows, one for each minute elapsed past the quarter hour. First used in watches in the late 17th century, the repeater function has always needed great skill to construct especially on a small enough scale to be fitted in a wristwatch.
Tourbillion – the tourbillon regulator clearly displayed on the present watch is one of the most visually arresting of all watch complications and consequently is extremely popular for use in wristwatches. It does however have a serious practical application and requires considerable skill to construct. The tourbillon is a rotating “cage” with the entire escapement mounted within it, the cage rotates at a speed of usually one-minute and its purpose is to neutralize errors in timekeeping caused by the watch being in different positions during normal use. The tourbillon rotates the balance at a consistent rate so that any negative effects of gravity are eliminated. Invented by the legendary French watchmaker Breguet and patented in 1801, the tourbillon has ever since been considered one of the ultimate watchmaking achievements.
Chronograph – the highly precise chronograph (stopwatch) function was first introduced in watches in the 1860s, it is used to time the duration of an event such as a motor race, the key feature being the ability, via pushers in the band of the case, to start, stop and reset the chronograph hand without interference to the going of the watch. The chronograph has become a very popular feature in wristwatches since the early 20th century and is one of the most functional watch complications even today.
The present highly exclusive timepiece, made in only 8 pieces for Asia is an Audemars Piguet masterpiece combining all three complications together in one watch, an incredible feat of micro-engineering and mathematical genius that cannot fail to impress even the most exacting of collectors.