quattro
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AP's world time “mnemonic” dials
In the 1940s, Audemars Piguet created a few watches with a dial designed like the "observatory dials", i.e. with small seconds at 9 o'clock & another, purely static subdial at 3 o'clock featuring, instead of a precision or observatory mention, a timezone chart.
The main 24 time zones are symbolised by numerals and the time zones considered "important" (very debatable, of course) include a reference city name.
This simplified World Time system, which requires basic mental arithmetic (the watch doesn't do the math for you!), was designed as a memory aid, facilitating the determination of the time differences between various cities of the world.
These dials were available in different versions as to the "main" or "home" location, always located at 12 o'clock (noon) and sometimes pointed by an arrow. For example, when New-York is located at noon, it is easy to see that Hawaï is -6h and Rome +6h. Or course, daylight saving time isn't taken into account (you'd better know if the different locations use it or not).
These dials with this purely passive world time "complication" have sometimes been called "world time mnemonic dials".
The watches are all powered by calibre 13VZAS.
According to Monaco Legend Group, only 6 examples are known, but I think I've identified 13 (if I didn't make any mistake as data is often scarce and unclear)...
Best, Emmanuel
A/ TEARDROP LUGS
1/ Steel - Roma - Probably movement no. 45869 (or 45896)
credit: Hodinkee (1-3) & Antiquorum (the first photo is referenced as 45869, the second one as 45896 but I think it's a mistake as they seem identical)
2/ Steel - Roma - Movement no. 45953
credit: Christie’s
3/ Steel - Roma - Movement no. 45960
credit: Bukowskis, @wirelug (one before last) & Hodinkee (last)
4/ Steel - Roma - Movement no. 45961
4/ Steel - Roma - Movement no. 45961
credit: classic driver
5/ Steel - City? - Movement no. 45966
credit: Christie’s
6/ Steel - Roma - Movement no. 46564
credit: Charlotte van Gaver
7/ Yellow gold - Roma - Movement no. 48532
credit: Amsterdam Vintage Watches
8/ Yellow gold - New-York - Movement no. 46605
credit: Monaco Legend Group
B/ CLASSICAL LUGS
1/ Yellow gold - Roma - Movement no. 45967
2/ Yellow gold - New-York - Movement no. 46556 (this example has been sold six times by Antiquorum)
credit: Antiquorum
C/ CLAW LUGS
1/ Steel - Rio Janeiro - Movement no. ?
credit: Hodinkee
2/ Steel - New-York - Movement no. 46557
3/ Yellow gold - New-York - Movement no. 51700
This example, with the timezone chart around the canon pinion and small seconds at 6 o'clock, is unique.
credit: Antiquorum
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AP's world time “mnemonic” dials
In the 1940s, Audemars Piguet created a few watches with a dial designed like the " observatory dials ", i.e. with small seconds at 9 o'clock & another, purely static subdial at 3 o'clock featuring, instead of a precision or observatory mention, a tim...
Nomos? Ok, I see why you would say that, but Nomos watches are so clean,
so "cold" (to me), that I would say these AP are Nomos, if you like, but... with a soul and a heart (silly, I know, and very personal, but it's what comes to my mind)... Best, Emmanuel
I'm so glad you love them too!
Here the WT "complication" is completely static (can we even call it a true "complication"?), but this static subdial has such a charm and the watches are so appealing... My favorite could be the steel/gold claw lugs Rio Janeiro, if only it had the arrow ...
Very well said: it’s mimicking, but with style,
and the watches are so appealing. Best, Emmanuel
Here the mix of observatory dial layout
and timezone chart works so well! And the cases are beautiful, especially those with teardrop or claw lugs.
Yes, it’s quite a unique take on the WT “complication”
and the watches have so much charm! My favorite would be the steel/gold Rio Janeiro if only it had the arrow pointing the reference city (why is it missing?)! Best, Emmanuel
Serious AP posts today, quattro.
Incredible stuff -- dial design, movements, case variety, etc. Wonderful to see...
Yes, my AP nostalgia needed soothing
and these watches are a balm for my heart. No other major brand has turned its back on its past to such an extent. I hope AP will wake up someday. Best, Emmanuel
Lots of novelties in history....
Reinforces to me that AP has an incredible library of inspiration for future models. Maybe one day? Peter
Let’s hope so, Peter.
This incredible library of inspiration is just waiting to be remembered. Best, Emmanuel