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Audemars Piguet Steel Automatic Ultra Thin - With Box

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  • Reference 5273
  • Watch With Box
  • Wire Price: $7,000 

Year: Circa 1970s
Model: Ultra Slim
Case Diameter: 34mm 
Lug to Lug: 38mm
Case: Steel
Dial: SIlver 
Movement: Automatic 

Condition
The case looks unpolished, with the original brushed finish on the case and lug sides. The dial is an early example with stick markers, thin logo font, and a cream color. The watch comes with the original box.

When it comes to the Holy Trinity (AP, PP, VC), vintage dress watches are rare to find when it comes to steel cases and automatic movements. The reference 5273 checks both of those boxes, but there's more to it. The automatic movement housed inside is the calibre 2120. If you know anything about this movement, then you know this is the same movement found in the original Royal Oak ref 5204 and also used by Patek Philippe in the Nautilus 3700.

This reference is a hard watch to find, but when you find one as clean as this, you need to pick it up because of the value it brings. A large case in steel, screw caseback, important automatic caliber, and a clean dial layout. 

Audemars Piguet and Piguet were working separately in the 1870s, with Audemars creating complicated watch movements for different manufacturers. After starting to work together in 1875, they continued this split function, with Audemars overseeing production and technical aspects and Piguet focusing on sales and management. The name Audemars Piguet & Cie was first used in 1881.

In 1892, the brand created the first-minute repeater wristwatch, followed by the Grand Complication pocket watch in 1899. Tragically, Audemars and Piguet passed away in 1918 and 1919, but the company continued to grow. The next generation of Audemars and Piguet, sons Paul Louis Audemars and Paul Edward Piguet, continued the legacy.

During the early-mid 1900s, the brand continued to push for innovation within the watch community. The thinnest pocket watch caliber was released in 1925, while the first skeletonized pocket watch was released in 1934. In 1946, the world's thinnest wristwatch was launched, and the first perpetual calendar wristwatch was released in 1957. The brand also holds the record for the first thinnest self-winding automatic caliber featuring a central rotor of 2.45mm in 1967.

In the 1970s, the quartz crisis affected traditional mechanical watchmakers, leading Audemars Piguet to partner with Swiss watch designer Gerald Genta to develop a new category of watches. The Royal Oak steel watch, introduced at the 1972 Swiss Watch Show, was made of stainless steel and had an integrated bracelet. The daring design of the case, featuring a round dial within an octagon bezel with 8 screws set inside a tonneau-shaped case, has become one of the most iconic and highly sought-after pieces.




 

Audemars Piguet Steel Automatic Ultra Thin - With Box

Free

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  • Reference 5273
  • Watch With Box
  • Wire Price: $7,000 

Year: Circa 1970s
Model: Ultra Slim
Case Diameter: 34mm 
Lug to Lug: 38mm
Case: Steel
Dial: SIlver 
Movement: Automatic 

Condition
The case looks unpolished, with the original brushed finish on the case and lug sides. The dial is an early example with stick markers, thin logo font, and a cream color. The watch comes with the original box.

When it comes to the Holy Trinity (AP, PP, VC), vintage dress watches are rare to find when it comes to steel cases and automatic movements. The reference 5273 checks both of those boxes, but there's more to it. The automatic movement housed inside is the calibre 2120. If you know anything about this movement, then you know this is the same movement found in the original Royal Oak ref 5204 and also used by Patek Philippe in the Nautilus 3700.

This reference is a hard watch to find, but when you find one as clean as this, you need to pick it up because of the value it brings. A large case in steel, screw caseback, important automatic caliber, and a clean dial layout. 

Audemars Piguet and Piguet were working separately in the 1870s, with Audemars creating complicated watch movements for different manufacturers. After starting to work together in 1875, they continued this split function, with Audemars overseeing production and technical aspects and Piguet focusing on sales and management. The name Audemars Piguet & Cie was first used in 1881.

In 1892, the brand created the first-minute repeater wristwatch, followed by the Grand Complication pocket watch in 1899. Tragically, Audemars and Piguet passed away in 1918 and 1919, but the company continued to grow. The next generation of Audemars and Piguet, sons Paul Louis Audemars and Paul Edward Piguet, continued the legacy.

During the early-mid 1900s, the brand continued to push for innovation within the watch community. The thinnest pocket watch caliber was released in 1925, while the first skeletonized pocket watch was released in 1934. In 1946, the world's thinnest wristwatch was launched, and the first perpetual calendar wristwatch was released in 1957. The brand also holds the record for the first thinnest self-winding automatic caliber featuring a central rotor of 2.45mm in 1967.

In the 1970s, the quartz crisis affected traditional mechanical watchmakers, leading Audemars Piguet to partner with Swiss watch designer Gerald Genta to develop a new category of watches. The Royal Oak steel watch, introduced at the 1972 Swiss Watch Show, was made of stainless steel and had an integrated bracelet. The daring design of the case, featuring a round dial within an octagon bezel with 8 screws set inside a tonneau-shaped case, has become one of the most iconic and highly sought-after pieces.