Audemars PiguetDisco Volante

KEY FACTS

• Offered by a UK private seller via managed service
• Comprising the watch only.
• Finished in 18k yellow gold and fitted with a taupe calf strap and original 18k gold pin buckle
• Reported to be in good working order and graded ‘AA’ for condition by the vendor.

FUNCTIONS

• Time only
• Powered by the manual wind calibre 2003/2 running at 18,000 bph and offering 36 hrs of power reserve.

SUMMARY

This watch stands as a celebration of both an important case design and a landmark movement. Released in 1996 by Audemars Piguet to celebrate 50 years of the calibre 2003, this is an ultra-thin hand wound movement developed jointly by Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, and LeCoultre. At the time of its launch in 1946 it was the slimmest movement in the world.

The vehicle chosen to showcase this movement anniversary was a reworking of a mid-century design by non-other than Gérald Genta. Always inspired by geometry and keen to make the bezel a key feature of the overall watch design, Genta removed the lugs and emphasised the slimness of the movement with a broad but fine-edge bezel, the resulting design being dubbed by collectors a ‘Disco Volante’ or flying saucer. This was released as ref. 5093 with a number of dial and bezel variants. It is clear to see the influence of a strong bezel design in other circular Genta creations such as the Bulgari ‘Bulgari’ and the Cartier Pasha.

The anniversary ref. 14988BA utilises a radiating hob-nail decoration for the bezel with Roman numerals and an inner railroad track for the minute indication. The case back has a sapphire display window allowing the exquisitely decorated calibre 2003/2 to be appreciated. The watch was offered as a limited run of 50 in yellow, white, and rose gold.

All watches offered for sale are searched and cleared against The Watch Register database and a certificate is available to the winning bidder upon request.

Please note if shipped internationally, due to CITIES requirements the strap will not be included with the watch.

Any watch not covered by a current sales or service warranty should be considered as potentially requiring a service, even if in full working order on the date of purchase.

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