Audemars Piguet Répétition Minutes "John Shaeffer" 25797PT

Répétition Minute John Schaeffer, Reference 25797PT | A limited edition platinum minute repeating wristwatch with satellite hour display | Circa 1995 Audemars Piguet

Dial: white Calibre: cal. 2867 manual winding, 34 jewels Movement number: 404'217 Case: platinum, sapphire crystal display case back secured by 4 screws Case number: D71'820, 2 Closure: platinum Audemars Piguet buckle Size: 33 x 33 mm Signed: case, dial and movement Box: no Papers: no Accessories: none Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.In 1907, Audemars Piguet developed their first minute repeater wristwatch for John Schaeffer, an American industrialist. This groundbreaking prototype boasted a distinctive cushion-shaped case and showcased John Schaeffer's name as the numerals on the dial. Carrying forward the legacy of the cushion design and incorporating the minute repeater complication, the current iteration, the Répétition Minutes, represents an exceedingly rare horological masterpiece, whose rarity is further enhanced by a limited production run of just 10 pieces. Notably, this extraordinary timepiece not only houses a minute repeater mechanism within its elegant 33.5 mm platinum case but also presents a captivating dial configuration. The dial features a guichet graduated to 60 for the minutes. It further has a satellite hour display using three star wheels, which gracefully indicate the time along the minute track positioned at 12 o'clock. This ingenious mechanism involves the use of three transparent sapphire disks, known as star wheels, each adorned with four hour indicators. These disks are fixed to a central rotating wheel. With the turning of the assembly, the hour indicator corresponding to the present time would come into view and subsequently traverse a 120-degree segment representing the minutes. By observing the visible hour indicator aligned with the current minute, one could effectively read the time. When first developed, this mesmerising ‘Star Wheel’ system revolutionised timekeeping, offering a unique and visually captivating method of indicating hours and minutes. Extremely complex to produce, these pieces were made in very limited quantities. For example, this series was made in only 10 pieces and the present watch is the number 2. Overall, this remarkable creation from Audemars Piguet stands as a testament to the brand's exceptional craftsmanship and represents a truly awe-inspiring marvel in the world of horology.