Audemars Piguet Ultra-thin 5442BA

Ref. 5442BAA very fine and highly rare yellow gold ultra-thin skeletonized wristwatch with Khanjar coat of arms engraved rotor, made for the Sultanate of Oman

Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 1975 Reference No: 5442BA Movement No: 136’063 Case No: 098’863 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2120 SQ, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet pin buckle Dimensions: 32.5mm diameter Signed: Case, movement, and buckle signed Accessories: Delivered with Audemars Piguet Extract from the Archives confirming the register date of the present timepiece on 9th September 1975. Condition Report Sign Up or Login Description View our Conditions of Sale . Manufacturer : Audemars Piguet Year : Circa 1975 Reference No : 5442BA Movement No : 136’063 Case No : 098’863 Material : 18K yellow gold Calibre : Automatic, cal. 2120 SQ, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap : Crocodile Clasp/Buckle : 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet pin buckle Dimensions : 32.5mm diameter Signed : Case, movement, and buckle signed Accessories : Delivered with Audemars Piguet Extract from the Archives confirming the register date of the present timepiece on 9th September 1975. Catalogue Essay The present Audemars Piguet reference 5442 is a masterpiece of meticulous craftsmanship emblematic of the past era. Produced at the beginning of the Swiss quartz crisis, the watch is fitted with an exquisitely hand-engraved movement exemplary of the early timepieces with openworking. During the winter of 1972, the watchmakers at the Le Brassus workshops set about to developing the first openworked model for the brand, and the first reference 5442 was successfully delivered one year later in November 1973. Since it took an artisan 150 hours to complete an openworked calibre 2120, it took three years to deliver the first 100 watches. An average of 30 watches were produced annually until 1976, and the present timepiece bearing movement number 136’063 belongs to the first batch of 100 openworked movement created for calibre 2120. As post-war watchmaking was characterized by the production of ultra-thin selfwinding movements, the legendary calibre 2120 fitted into the present timepiece was introduced in 1967, and measures a mere thickness of 2.45 mm. It was rooted from a collaboration between Audemars Piguet, LeCoultre & Cie and Vacheron Constantin, and ultimately becoming the calibre powering the first Royal Oak wristwatches in 1972. The present timepiece is further engraved with an enigmatic Khanjar crest on the skeletonized rotor, indicating that it was made for the Sultanate of Oman. Preserved in excellent condition, and delivered with Audemars Piguet Extract from the Archives confirming its register date on 9th September 1975, this extraordinary watch is a dream for the most passionate Audemars Piguet collectors, and it would make a splendid addition to any collector's ensemble. Read More Artist Biography Audemars Piguet Swiss • 1881 A specialist in the manufacture of complications since it was established in 1881, Audemars Piguet never ceases to impress with a rich history of creating bold, even audacious, timepieces underpinned by traditional watchmaking at its finest. This Le Brassus-based Swiss manufacturer is one of only two major manufacturers still owned by the founding family. Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches. The brand is devoted to preserving the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, showcased at their superb museum in Le Brassus. Today, the brand is best known for its Royal Oak models, a revolutionary luxury sports watch launched in 1972. Other key models include early minute repeating wristwatches, vintage chronograph wristwatches, such as the oversized reference 5020, perpetual calendar watches and the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced in 1993. View More Works Ref. 5442BA A very fine and highly rare yellow gold ultra-thin skeletonized wristwatch with Khanjar coat of arms engraved rotor, made for the Sultanate of Oman