AUDEMARS PIGUET
Bamboo
DATE OF BIRTH : Circa 1980s
MATERIAL : 18K White and Yellow Gold
SIZE : 21 x 26 mm case
MOVEMENT : Quartz
CONDITION : Excellent, unpolished
BOX : No
PAPERS : No
This is somewhat of a surprising watch design to bear the prestigious Audemars Piguet marque. One would almost expect to see such an adventurous and more haute jewelry designed piece from a house such as Piaget, especially given that this watch was developed and launched during the backdrop of the quartz crisis in the late 1970’s. During this time, AP had paired with esteemed designer Gerald Genta to design the now iconic Royal Oak in 1972. There is a trace of his influence in this piece, when looking at the ‘Tank’ case Royal Oak. Here, however, we find the ‘bamboo’ canes forming the links and framing the case.
This overall look is most unlike any other watch that was launched at the time. We do see bamboo being used by Cartier in jewelry and watch design throughout many decades of the 20th century, but never a bracelet and in such an organic state. This quote from the original AP brochure gives a great taste of how the brand felt about the watch and its introduction to the world:
“Bamboo, the natural symbol of lightness and flexibility, gives a symbolic expression to the lifestyle of tropical paradises.The designers at Audemars Piguet came up with the concept for the Bamboo to recreate this grace with the means of the goldsmith's art. Artfully intertwined golden canes are the characteristic of this creation. They form the supple bracelet, whose rhythm is picked up by the watch case and brought to perfection. The harmony that a bamboo radiates, its silky shine, gives an idea of the painstaking manual work that was required to achieve this perfection of grace.”
Not only is it unusual for AP to make such a watch at a time of peril for many established Swiss watchmaking giants, but they also made a wide variety of versions of the watch, which ran for around a decade. This both illustrates the love and the faith the brand had in the design, but also the reaction from its loyal consumer base. The most produced versions were all gold; however, there were many exotic executions, including a host of gemstones being set both on the bracelet and on the dial, and even early use of ceramic through the bracelet.
This stunning, and perhaps more subtle version presented here is in solid 18 carat white and yellow gold blend. Perfect for those who like to mix up their metals.
As bracelet watches once again catch the imaginations of watch collectors around the world, this unique and beautifully made reference is starting to gain a lot of traction from a new, younger audience who was not around at its inception. Musician Leon Bridges is a fan! This example is in excellent condition throughout. Given how these watches are made and designed, they have, for the most part, escaped the dreaded clutches of the polishing wheel.
