Audemars Piguet Jumbo Calatrava White Gold & Original Bracelet - RARE (Ref. 5222)

This is a major 'Find Another' watch. A model you might have never heard of, and that's because they are so rare. The reference 5281 is the more common example of this jumbo dress watch by Audemars Piguet. However, even for the 5281, the majority of them are stainless steel. Also, the production numbers of the 5222 compared to the 5281 are crazy. Rarely do 5281st models come to market, and when they do, they sell quickly. The 5222 is even rarer. Not a lot of information can be found about them, and they are similar to the 5281 except for a few minor changes, like the caseback notches, for example. While researching the 5222, you won't find much, a handful have ever hit the market.

This is just the rarity for the steel 5281 and 5222, which are already hard to find. Now we bring in an 18k white gold case. Only one has ever been seen for sale by a popular vintage dealer a long time ago. This was the reference 5281, and it was on a leather strap. Other than that, we have not seen another from the two references in a precious metal case. So this one is really special. We believe it to be the 5222 because of the shape of the hour markers and the shape of the notches on the screw down caseback. This will be the only 5222 known in white gold, and it's fresh to market. This will also be the only one ever to be seen on the original white gold mesh bracelet, which is removable.

So, for the 'Find Another' conversation, this checks off all the boxes. Not only rare, but the specs are perfect. The 1950s were full of beautiful dress watches, but many were under 33mm, and it was not the era of sports dress watches; that wasn't even a thing yet. The 5222 is a jumbo 36mm dress watch with a date window and automatic caliber. The case is thicker than a classic dress watch, and with the bracelet, this might just be the sportiest dress watch to come from the 50s. Since sports watches weren't as popular during this time, we can conclude that maybe that's why the reference 5281 and 5222 are so rare. So few pieces were made, and the white gold examples could have been special requests by clients who didn't want a steel dress watch.

Reference: 5222

Movement: The automatic caliber 2072. Based on a Jaeger LeCoultre ebauche and used by both AP and VC.

Year: 1950s

Contents: Watch Only

Case: The jumbo size is 36mm, which is a great contender to the reference 570 and similar calatravas with a jumbo case (Better than in our opinion). The case is in great condition with the serial number and hallmarks (Underneath the lugs) visible and still very deep.

Dial: An untouched silver sunburst dial. The silver is a warm hue, similar to the cool of the white gold.

Strap & Buckle: The watch is on the original mesh bracelet in 18k white gold. The size is around 7 1/4 but can be sized smaller or larger, given the three micro adjustments on the clasp.