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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Serial-number guide

Audemars Piguet Serial Numbers

Needs research

What a Audemars Piguet serial number can establish, what it cannot, and how to record a date estimate another researcher could check.

Diagram

maker or gradeserialcase hallmarksimport and assay marks
Schematic: where markings are found. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Method

Reading the number, step by step

  1. 1. Find the movement number

    Case and movement numbers are separate records; both should be compared against an archive extract.

  2. 2. Understand what it encodes

    Movement and case numbers are recorded in manufacturer archives; public dating tables are not authoritative.

  3. 3. Judge how precise the date can be

    Archive-dependent: without manufacturer confirmation, record only an approximate era based on reference and calibre.

  4. 4. Check the records behind the tables

    The manufacturer maintains historical archives and may issue extracts or confirmations for authenticated watches.

Quick facts

Manufacturer
Audemars Piguet
Dating confidence
Estimate only — see notes
Editorial status
Needs research

Sources & references

  1. Manufacturer archive/heritage services
  2. Published company histories (secondary)

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.

Limits

What the number does not prove

Questions

Frequently asked

Where is the serial number on a Audemars Piguet watch?
Case and movement numbers are separate records; both should be compared against an archive extract.
What do Audemars Piguet serial numbers mean?
Movement and case numbers are recorded in manufacturer archives; public dating tables are not authoritative.
How accurate is dating a Audemars Piguet watch by serial number?
Archive-dependent: without manufacturer confirmation, record only an approximate era based on reference and calibre.
Where are Audemars Piguet production records held?
The manufacturer maintains historical archives and may issue extracts or confirmations for authenticated watches.

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