Audemars Piguet

Some of us may forget that two decades ago before the Royal Oak became so popular, Audemars Piguet were making some astonishing dress watches. Fortunately for me, these watches now offer excellent value for money in the used market and I am considering pl...  

Thank you, Sham for posting this masterpiece

I know it is a bit reckless of me to post these watches especially as I am planning to bid on them but these beauties need more appreciation even if it means my not being to obtain them! And yes, I am partial to the Star Wheel too which may go for the sam... 

At least leave one for me if possible please

and that was a new piece. This is a bit of a gamble on my part I guess but I am expecting to have to send it for a service. Thanks for the good wishes. I shall need them!!

Did you have an estimate?

I will set aside USD5k for any service required which should cover it I hope.

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that you go for this one!! It is number 10 out of 10. I love it but hey, I am sure you do too

Thanks for sharing

These watches are almost like hidden gems in the world of Audemars Piguet!

I find the star wheel complication much more interesting than a tourbillon for example This small package packs quite a punch! Best of luck getting it

I shall put all my effort into obtaining this watch but I fear my best may not be good enough! One can only try

if I would bid on one of them, it would be the first one. However being only 33mm, that is a tad too smal for me. Perhaps the second one wears bigger seen the « dial »? Hope you get the one you want! Keep us posted, Dirk

In fact there were a number of reiterations of the John Schaeffer minute repeater in the mid 90s and they all measured the same. Some were perpetual calendars, others were jump hours or plain minute repeaters but size wise no difference.

Definitely it'll be the perfect Eid treat.

Thank you!!

Some of the complications available for the asking prices are unreal.

It just does not make sense when one can buy a used minute repeater from a top brand in remarkable conditon for less money than some of the independents are asking for finely finished three handed watches. Don't get me wrong - I love the Voutilainens, Rex... 

To be honest, many of the dress watches in the 1980s to late-1990s were incredibly conservative. Perhaps indicative of a market that was lost and not yet found. The 80s and 90s watches that ventured outside this comfort zone are under-appreciated, perhaps... 

Perhaps it is the size that is off putting, I am not quite sure but these John Schaeffers represent a bargain in today's world. I have no idea what they were priced when new but they seem undervalued in comparison with much out there.

This seems to be the general consensus and I am swayed towards the Star Wheel too

I'd be happy with either one!

Hope you are doing well. I'd be happy with either one too

Whoa, I'm incredibly surprised at the estimates for these. AP platinum minute repeaters under $40K??? Is that real?

The estimates exclude buyers premium? So another 15-30%? Can someone more well versed in auctions confirm. I have never bid at auction... prefer private sales.

Serves to draw people in to bid and help drive what really matters - what it sells for. Or am I being too cynical?

The skeleton version, watch #10, fetched US$79k almost in 2012 at Christie’s. Watch #8 sold for closer to US$40k just a year before at Sotheby’s. But something in my memory tells me I’ve seen these go for far less, I just can find the details right now. ... 

I await in anticipation for the forthcoming auction. I have set my own limits - self discipline is key!

at the Geneva auctions that just ended last weekend were generally sold at about 20% above the estimates (inc buyers premium). The fact that the buyers premium is 25% indicates that the estimates were about right.

are terribly undervalued at auctions. Maybe the smaller sized ones just do not command as high a price as the larger sized cases but hey, they are still minute repeaters and ideal for the smaller wristed folk like me.

Best of luck for the auction! Would love to see a review on one of these if you win

I think it is a big 'IF' but I shall give it my best shot

the reason being Christie's were kind enough to send me photos of the watch and the condition report confirmed that there was a ding on the case band at 9 o'clock which was off putting. For the record, both the above watches were sold for the same price -... 

Having observed auctions, I have noticed that many estimates are exceeded especially at Philips auctions where the estimates seem on the lower course some lots remain unsold but the majority do sell.

If you have been following the Geneva auctions, quite a few went for USD40k and under which included the 25% buyer's premium ie the hammer price was USD32k. Quite a bargain.

As I was mentioning to jleno above, I have budgeted USD5k for a service and I hope that would be enough. I hope

It might be worth checking with them first.

I shall be checking with them, thank you.

it is like buying a classic car and having it restored but I believe this AP is in better condition than a classic car! If not, I will have to rob a bank!

Can a ding on a watch case be repaired and be made to disappear? The star wheel above had a ding at the case band at 9 o'clock so I decided to refrain from bidding. The hammer price was HKD350,000 which was double its lower estimate and in excess of its h... 

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Christie's sent this photo to me and to be honest, I never got around to asking them where the ding was!! Yes, I know, I know.....

Maybe I should have asked you before the auction rather than after it!!

The final hammer price was above what I would have paid for it so I am not too disappointed Nico

and just saw your post to chip in the discussion. I totally agree with you that Phllips is generally conservative in their estimate and Christie’s is more realistic. It’s just different auction tricks. If i remember correctly it’s already the second time ... 

or is this not a coincidence?!! In which case, I hope you will be bidding at the Christie's auction in New York where two more AP minute repeaters will be of offer. Again, both in platinum and again both John Schaeffers. I am just wondering if all these w...  

Moreover after losing the AP bid I spent my budget on other watches so I won’t participate this time

But with you not bidding for the APs in New York, I might even stand half a chance!!

But I did not wake up for the auction - 6am Kuala Lumpur time!

'The man in the iron mask'!! Limited to 3 pieces, that was going to sell for a high price!

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Let's see what happens on Thursday.

The auction started at 6am Kuala Lumpur time and I am glad I slept through after last week's indulgence at Patek

Your choice puts you in good company and I will bid as much as I can afford!

I will come to your hotel wherever you are!! I can't expect anyone to battle the KL traffic not even for an AP minute repeater!!