Just as fine on the inside as it is on the outside, the watch is powered by Audemars Piguet's legendary extra-flat movement, co-developed with Vacheron & Constantin.
Released in 1946 the minuscule movement was a true feat of technical engineering. It is the thinnest movement ever created for a normal size watch, measuring a mere 1.64mm!
To honor the achievement Vacheron & Constantin presented personalized examples to several key Heads of State including President Dwight Eisenhower. Only a few luxury watches in the following decades would lay claim to this movement earning them reputations as masterpieces of twentieth-century watchmaking.
Epitomizing the essence of "'the classic watch" remembered today, watches with this styling made by Patek, Vacheron & AP feature a manually wound movement, round gold cases, understated dial, slender hands, and simple baton markers. As one writer aptly stated, "The extra-slim watch, whose style embraces only the strict essentials, has continued to seduce for its elegance and discretion."
As a mens midsize it is well-suited for someone who doesn't have a large wrist.
Is parts are all original down to its dial, hands, winding crown, and original 18K buckle. Its case and movement are in a condition you just can't find anymore...absolutely gorgeous! They're just short of perfect mint / like new-old-stock.
I suspect the case and movement are so pristine because the dial prematurely aged so it spent virtually all its life stored away. We acquired it from a south Florida estate buyer. When we acquired it the dial had aged significantly around the edge, yet was fresh everywhere else, so it was restored.
The rest of the watch is original and the brushing is crisp and untouched since it left the factory. The edges of the unpolished lugs are sharp, like you just rarely find.
Our watchmaker has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled the movement for the first time since it left AP. Photos of the inside available upon request.
For the finishing touch it comes equipped with a Java lizard band and its original 18K buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.
- Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Model: "Extra Flat"
- Serial no.: 86,986
- Year built: c. early 1960's
- Functions: Hours and Minutes
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: 18K Gold
- Case markings (inside): Audemars Piguet, Swiss, 18K
- Case condition: Just short of mint with light wear. The edges or still perfectly sharp.
- Dimensions: 30.5mm diameter by 35.5mm long lug tip to tip
- Dial: Silver, signed Audemars Piguet and GENEVE, black painted baton indices, professionally restored by one of the leading dial experts in North America
- Hands: Original, gold batons
- Movement type: Very high quality, AP Caliber 2003, hand-built, manually wound, rhodium-plated, "fausses cttes" decoration, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, and 4 positions, self-compensating flat balance-spring
- Movement markings: Audemars Piguet, Swiss, Seventeen Jewels, Adjusted to temperature and 5 positions, 2003
- Band: Teju lizard, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn
- Crystal: Mineral glass, vintage, excellent condition
- Serviced: One of watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled the movement. It was the first servicing done since leaving the AP factory. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
