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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Dress wristwatch

Audemars Piguet 18K Gold Manual Wind Wristwatch

Partially verified

This is an Audemars Piguet 18K gold manual wind wristwatch bearing a London import mark for 1957. It features a 27mm square case of brushed and polished form, numbered 11821, enclosing a silvered dial signed 'AUDEMARS PIGUET GENÈVE'. The dial displays minimalist baton hour markers and central hands. The source reports that the watch is powered by a 17-jewel manual-wind Calibre 2003 movement, numbered 69879. The case, dial, and movement are signed. The watch is fitted with an associated black lizard leather strap and an associated gilt buckle.

Front view of an 18K gold square Audemars Piguet manual wind wristwatch with silvered baton dial
Front view of an 18K gold square Audemars Piguet manual wind wristwatch with silvered baton dial — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Wristwatch · Dress wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Audemars Piguet
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1
Source-reported date
1957
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
11821

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Form and Dating Evidence

The catalog lists the watch as an 18K gold timepiece measuring 27mm in a brushed and polished square case, numbered 11821. Direct visual inspection shows a stepped outer frame surrounding the square dial, with a recessed winding crown situated at the 3 o'clock position and an associated lizard strap affixed via hooded or integrated lugs.

Dating of the piece relies on a reported London import hallmark for 1957 recorded by the auction house. While slight tarnishing or discoloration is visible along the right outer bezel edge near 4 o'clock, the specific hallmarks and case back engravings are not depicted in the source photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: Brushed and polished square form, No.11821”
  • “Size: 27mm”
  • “Square yellow gold case with a stepped outer frame and recessed winding crown at 3 o'clock”
  • “Black textured lizard strap attached via hooded or integrated lugs”
  • “Date: London Import mark for 1957”
  • “Tarnishing or discoloration visible along the right outer bezel edge near 4 o'clock”

Dial and Visual Condition

The dial is described in the listing as silvered and is visibly signed 'AUDEMARS PIGUET GENÈVE' below the 12 o'clock position. The display utilizes two central hands indicating hours and minutes against thin black baton hour markers.

Visual observation indicates noticeable surface spotting and age-related discoloration on the dial face, concentrated predominantly along the lower and right margins.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: Silvered”
  • “Silvered dial signed 'AUDEMARS PIGUET GENÈVE' below 12 o'clock”
  • “Thin black baton hour indexes with central two-hand indication”
  • “Noticeable surface spotting and age-related discoloration on the dial, particularly around the lower and right margins”

Reported Movement and Accessories

The auction entry reports that the watch is powered by a 17-jewel manual-wind Calibre 2003 movement numbered 69879. The listing notes that the case, dial, and movement are signed, though the movement itself is not visible in the provided image.

The watch is fitted with an associated black lizard leather strap and an associated gilt buckle. The listing flags the lot with a CITES notice indicating that the strap is subject to wildlife trade regulations when exported outside the UK.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: 17-jewel Cal.2003 manual wind, No.69879”
  • “Signed: Case, dial & movement”
  • “Strap/Bracelet: Associated black lizard leather”
  • “Buckle/Clasp: Associated gilt buckle”
  • “CITES Subject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the UK, see clause 13.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmark letters, assay office marks, and sponsor stamps are struck inside or outside the case back?
  • Does movement number 69879 align with Audemars Piguet production records around the 1957 import date?
  • Does the surface spotting on the silvered dial represent surface particulate deposit or degradation of the underlying finish?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Audemars Piguet 18K Gold Manual Wind Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
DateLondon Import mark for 1957“London Import mark for 1957”
Movement17-jewel Cal.2003 manual wind, No.69879“17-jewel Cal.2003 manual wind, No.69879”
Case NumberNo.11821“No.11821”
Case FormBrushed and polished square form“Brushed and polished square form”
Size27mm“Size: 27mm”
DialSilvered“Dial: Silvered”
StrapAssociated black lizard leather“Associated black lizard leather”
BuckleAssociated gilt buckle“Buckle/Clasp: Associated gilt buckle”
SignaturesCase, dial, and movement signed“Signed: Case, dial & movement”
CITES NoticeSubject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the UK“CITES Subject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the UK, see clause 13.”
Auction Sale PriceSold for £1,280 inc. premium“Sold for £1,280 inc. premium”

Visible details

  • Square yellow gold case with a stepped outer frame and recessed winding crown at 3 o'clock
  • Silvered dial signed 'AUDEMARS PIGUET GENÈVE' below 12 o'clock
  • Thin black baton hour indexes with central two-hand indication
  • Noticeable surface spotting and age-related discoloration on the dial, particularly around the lower and right margins
  • Tarnishing or discoloration visible along the right outer bezel edge near 4 o'clock
  • Black textured lizard strap attached via hooded or integrated lugs

Research qualifications

  • Movement caliber 2003 and movement number 69879 are source-reported and not visible in the photo
  • Case back and 1957 London import hallmarks are not visible in the provided image
  • The black lizard leather strap and gilt buckle are associated replacements

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams : Audemars Piguet. An 18K gold manual wind wristwatch London Import mark for 1957

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8903e01622

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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