Audemars Piguet 5503

Audemars Piguet

Manufacturer Audemars Piguet Year 1942 Reference No 5503 Movement No 46538 Case No 46538 engraved outside and inside the caseback Material Stainless steel and 14k pink gold Calibre Manual, cal. VZAQ, 19 jewels Bracelet/Strap Leather Clasp/Buckle Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions 36mm diameter Signed Case, dial and movement signed Good To Know: - Triple calendar chronograph with moonphase display - Stainless steel and 14k pink gold case - One of only 5 ever made - Very well preserved One perfect example is the brand’s absolutely superb triple calendar/moon phase chronographs housing caliber 13VZAQ made between 1941 and 1943 in only 20 examples in different case types, sizes, dials and metals. According to Audemars Piguet “Audemars Piguet 20th Century Complicated Wristwatches”, the present model was born as photograph reference 1534 and redesignated as reference 5503 in 1951. These models featured a Valjoux base chronograph with full calendar modules by Alfred Aubert. Reference 5503 was produced between 1941 and 1943 and sold between 1945 and 1959. The model features a large 36 mm case (that visually looks larger due to the very thin bezel) and stylish teardrop lugs. Made in only 5 examples, all models featured a steel case and a 14k pink gold bezel, pushers and crown (the use of gold only for bezel and pushers was most probably due to gold restrictions during World War II), however one of the 5 was re-cased in yellow gold in 1959 prior to being sold meaning only 4 remained with a two-tone case. According to the Archives of Audemars Piguet, the present watch with movement and case no. 46'538 was produced in 1942 and sold in 1945 to Roehrich, Audemars Piguet's distributor in the USA at the time. The present timepiece made its auction debut in 2015 where it entered one of the world’s most prominent collections and is now returning to the auction market for a second time 70 years after having been produced!