This is a watch from a famous Holy Trinity Luxury Swiss watch manufacturer, in the classic style, with luxurious ultra-thin 18ct gold case, matte white dial with Roman Numerals, an elegant Crocodile leather strap, with Ultra-thin Manual wind Audemars Piguet calibre 2003 inside. This watch represents a very high level of luxury and quality, for a relatively modest price. You can own this classic dress piece and proudly wear a watch of exceptional quality, that many horology fanatics would dream of.
The dial is a bright white matte finish, with black signing and bold and classic style Roman Numerals. The matte finish is achieved with a very subtle orange peel finish, visible under a loupe or macro lens. The base tone contrasts against the black painted Roman numerals, Audemars Piguet signing and Swiss Made signing. The numerals and signing delicately reflect the light as your wrist turns.
The case is neatly proportioned at 31.5mm x 31.5mm, with an ultra-thin depth of 4.2mm. The case is formed of 18ct gold and consists of 3 pieces. The bezel and case back are polished, whilst the middle section of the case has a brushed finish.
The case back is formed of 18ct gold and is in very good condition, having been recently refinished. The sunburst finish is excellent and bright in the light. The serial number and hallmarking remain clean and clearly engraved.
The inside of the case back has neat and expertly applied peerlage finishing which is in excellent original condition. It is signed “Audemars Piguet Swiss Made”, whilst it also has Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold.
The hands are original. They are of sword style and are in excellent original condition. They are formed of gold and the main section of the hands is black in tone, which is very stylish.
The Sapphire crystal is original and is in perfect condition with no scratches.
The crown is original and is formed of 18ct gold. It has light surface scratching consistent with age. The watch is on its original black crocodile leather strap, signed Audemars Piguet, with the original 18ct gold Audemars Piguet buckle.
The movement is an Audemars Piguet calibre 2003, ultra-thin movement at only 1.64mm thick. It has 18 jewels. It is adjusted to heat, cold and isochronism and to 5 positions. It has a power reserve of 36 hours and a frequency of 18,000 BPH.
Whilst the ultra slim movement is largely forgotten by collectors, these watches remain a feat of engineering and horology. The calibre 2003 was developed jointly by LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin. When it was introduced in 1946, it was the smallest movement in the world, measuring 1.64mm thick and 20.30mm in diameter. It was produced until 2003 and as of 2004, was still the worlds thinnest movement. The movement service history is unknown. It has a daily gain of +20 seconds, with an amplitude of 260 degrees and a beat error of 0.0 m/s.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is in very good original condition. The dial is a bright white matte finish to the naked eye, with this being achieved with a very subtle orange peel finish, visible under a loupe or macro lens.
The black painted Roman numerals, Audemars Piguet signing and Swiss Made signing all shine in the light.
Hands:
The hands are original. They are of sword style and are in excellent original condition. They are formed of gold and the main section of the hands is black in tone, which is very stylish.
Glass:
The Sapphire crystal is original and is in perfect condition with no scratches.
Crown:
The crown is original and is formed of 18ct gold. It has light surface scratching consistent with age.
Case:
The case is formed of 18ct gold and consists of 3 pieces. The bezel is polished and is in very good condition, with only light surface scratching. The middle section of the case has a brushed finish and is also in very good condition, with only light surface scratches. The case back has a polished finish on the sides and it is in good condition.
Caseback:
The case back is formed of 18ct gold and is in very good condition, having been recently refinished. The sunburst finish is excellent and bright in the light. The serial number and hallmarking remain clean and clearly engraved.
The inside of the case back has neat and expertly applied peerlage finishing which is in excellent original condition. It is signed “Audemars Piguet Swiss Made”, whilst it also has Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold.
Strap:
The watch is on its original black crocodile leather strap, signed Audemars Piguet, with the original 18ct gold Audemars Piguet buckle. The strap will fit up to an 8.5” wrist diameter.
Movement:
The movement is an Audemars Piguet calibre 2003, ultra-thin movement at only 1.64mm thick. It has 18 jewels. It is adjusted to heat, cold and isochronism and to 5 positions. It has a power reserve of 36 hours and a frequency of 18,000 BPH.
Whilst the ultra slim movement is largely forgotten by collectors, these watches remain
a feat of engineering and horology. The calibre 2003 was developed jointly by LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin. When it was introduced in 1946, it was the smallest movement in the world, measuring 1.64mm thick and 20.30mm in diameter. It was produced until 2003 and as of 2004, was still the worlds thinnest movement.
The movement owes its extreme slimness to a flat hairspring, hand winding, a small barrel with 36 hours power reserve thanks to the slow 18,000 BPH oscillation.
The movement service history is unknown. It has a daily gain of +20 seconds, with an amplitude of 260 degrees and a beat error of 0.0 m/s.
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 31.5mm
Case width with crown: 33mm
Case length: 31.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 33mm
Lug width: 18mm
Case Depth: 4.2mm