Audemars Piguet
Philosophe | A unique white gold, diamond and sapphire-set one-hand wristwatch | Circa 1996
Lot Closed
November 11, 02:22 PM GMT
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 CHF
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
Dial: pavé-set diamond
Calibre: cal. 2080 manual winding, 20 jewels
Movement number: 384'938
Case: 18k white gold back and sapphire-set, secured by 4 screws
Case number: No. 617’816/ D46'279
Closure: 18k white gold Audemars Piguet buckle
Size: 26.5 mm diameter
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.
Introduced in 1982, Audemars Piguet’s Philosophe offered a quiet provocation in the age of quartz: a manually wound, single-hand watch inspired by antique pocket watches. With no logo, no numerals, and only the essential markers, it invites a more intuitive, reflective relationship with time — a chance to slow down, contemplate… and breathe.
This particular example transforms that minimalist philosophy into a jewel-like creation.
Crafted in white gold, it features a sapphire-set bezel punctuated by a single diamond at 12 o’clock, framing a fully pavé-set diamond dial with sapphire hour markers. At its centre, a lone hand sweeps gracefully across twelve hours — a poetic gesture of elegance and restraint.
The caseback is engraved with pièce unique, underscoring its exclusivity. It is powered by the ultra-thin, hand-wound calibre 2003/1, one of the slimmest movements ever produced by the Manufacture.
An exceptional and unique opportunity to acquire this stunner.