Audemars Piguet.
A rare $20 Dollar Gold coin with skeletonized timepiece within, C.1960.
Please quote Stock # 3178.
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Made by Audemars Piguet from a 1904 Twenty Dollar coin. Quite incredibly, hollowed out to form an amazing Pocket Watch case, fitted with a sprung case top, operated by an invisible catch in the case band. C.1970. In superb and quite excellent condition.
Housing within an extremely rare and high grade miniature Skeletonized movement.
Beautiful coin watches having non-skeletonized movements with conventional dials are very rare and most impressive in themselves. The movement required needs to be of the very thinnest possible calibre to fit within the limited space, even the crystal is made especially thin.
However, with this particular rare and most unusual example the dimensions must be even thinner as crystals are mounted in bezels at the back and front of the movement.
The movement hinging out and rotating on a swivel mount, enabling the rear of this most beautiful movement to be viewed.
An amazing example of Swiss micro engineering and high grade watch making at its very finest.
This beautiful Pocket Watch comes in its original Audemars Piguet, Suede pouch, leather & suede case, contained within its outer box.
The Swiss engineering on this amazing piece is so fine and precise that once the case top is closed the operating catch sits back flush with the coin edge milling and is totally invisible.
The push catch can be seen here on the right slightly proud in the "case open" position, when the case top is closed this push piece "disappears", completely merging with the case band coin edge milling.
With the case top closed the impression given to one viewing is that of a regular $20 Dollar antique coin, with no indication whatsoever of the beautiful and quite amazing timepiece within.
Audemars Piguet are internationally famous for their magnificent skeletonized Pocket Watch and Wristwatch movements, however, this particular example is quite outstanding, being amazingly small and so extremely thin.
Even with its incredibly petite dimensions, every carefully pierced
skeletonized bridge surface has been painstakingly hand engraved and finely embellished to the very highest standard.
The fine, almost thread like skeletonized bridge work appears to suspend the Ruby jewels as if they are floating in mid air.
The astounding metamorphosis of a genuine fine Gold antique coin into a hunting cased pocket watch can only be carried out by the most accomplished and dedicated of craftsmen.
In this case craftsmen of the very highest grade from one of Switzerland's premier watchmakers, the prestigious Swiss firm of Audemars Piguet.
A most elegant and quite astounding gentleman's dress timepiece.
This magnificent object, treasured as its beautiful condition exhibits, comes with its original Audemars Piguet
Suede pouch, leather & suede case, contained within its outer box.
- Stock # 3178
- Date: C.1970
- Case: 18ct. & Fine Gold.
- Case size : 34mm diameter x 4mm deep
- Price: £15,000.00
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information on this beautiful vintage Pocket Watch or indeed any of the items on my web site.
I am open here in the London Silver Vaults, Monday to Friday, from 10.0 until 5.00
and would be delighted to assist if I possibly can.
Copyright © Anthony Green Antiques 1999- 2008