Emmanuel, known as 'quattro' on WatchProSite, presents an invaluable deep dive into Audemars Piguet's rare 1940s Calendar Chronographs. His meticulous research unearths details on 11 of the 20 known Triple Calendar Moonphase Chronographs, offering collectors and enthusiasts an unprecedented look at these historically significant timepieces. This article serves as a testament to AP's horological artistry during a pivotal era.
The 20 Triple Calendar Moonphase Chronographs powered by 13VZAQ calibers produced by Audemars Piguet during the Second World War (from 1941 to 1943) are among the most interesting and beautiful timepieces I know.
I have been able to identify 11 of them: here's an organised and documented overview.
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
credit: @pygmaliongallery
A/ CASE STYLE (ARCHIVAL PHOTOGRAPH) NO. 831
credit: @pygmaliongallery
1/ MOVEMENT NO. 45978
Triple-tone dial with French calendar. Yellow gold case. Leaf hands.
Square hour markers. Signature at 6 o'clock: Audemars, Piguet & Co
credit: @pygmaliongallery, Phillips & Hodinkee
2/ MOVEMENT NO. 46540
Brushed
silver dial with
English calendar.
Yellow gold case.
Needle hands.
3/ MOVEMENT NO. 45979
Brushed
silver dial with
English calendar.
Yellow gold case.
Needle hands.
Square hour markers. Signature above the canon pinion : Audemars, Piguet & Co
credit: @pygmaliongallery & Christie’s
4/ MOVEMENT NO. ?
Brushed
silver dial with
two-tone subdials at 3 and 9 o'clock &
German calendar.
Yellow gold case.
Leaf hands.
Square pyramidal hour markers. Signature at 6 o'clock: Audemars, Piguet / Genève
credit: Hodinkee & @horoguides
B/ CASE STYLE (ARCHIVAL PHOTOGRAPH) NO. 995
credit: @pygmaliongallery
1/ MOVEMENT NO. 46934
Brushed
silver dial with
English calendar.
Yellow gold case.
Needle hands.
Square hour markers. Signature at 6 o'clock: Audemars Piguet / Genève
credit: @pygmaliongallery
2/ MOVEMENT NO. 46932
Brushed
silver dial with
English calendar.
Yellow gold case.
Needle hands.
Triangular pyramidal hour markers. Signature at 6 o'clock: Audemars Piguet
Hand-stamped number 5907 underneath the top left lug, manufactured in 1957
credit: Christie’s & Bexsonn
3/ MOVEMENT NO. 49634
Brushed
silver dial with
English calendar.
Yellow gold case.
Needle hands.
Square hour markers. No signature.
According to the records of Audemars Piguet, the present watch was sold in 1949 to the US. It was returned to Audemars Piguet for a servicing in 1993.
credit: Christie’s
C/ CASE STYLE (ARCHIVAL PHOTOGRAPH) NO. 1534
credit: @pygmaliongallery
1/ MOVEMENT NO. 45983
Triple-tone dial with
French calendar.
Steel &
Pink gold case.
Needle hands.
Arabic numerals. Signature at 6 o'clock: Audemars, Piguet & Co / Genève
On the two photos below, from
Antiquorum in 2007 and Davide Parmegiani (@dax2499), the case is presented as - and definitely seems to be - full pink gold instead of steel & pink gold. Why? I don't know, but it's the same movement no. as above.
credit: @pygmaliongallery, Pinterest, @dax2499 & Antiquorum
2/ MOVEMENT NO. 46538
Brushed
silver dial with
English calendar.
Steel &
Pink gold case.
Needle hands.
Square hour markers. Signature at 6 o'clock: Audemars, Piguet & Co / Genève
According to
Christie's, this example is referenced 5503 and was
manufactured (not delivered) in
1942.
credit: Christie’s & Watchonista
2/ MOVEMENT NO. 46931
Brushed
silver dial with
English calendar.
Yellow gold case.
Needle hands.
Arabic numerals. Signature at 6 o'clock: Audemars, Piguet / Genève
Movement made in
1943, encased, sold in New York on 8 September
1959 and presented to the thoroughbred horse racing jockey
Theodore Francis Atkinson (17 June 1916 - 5 May 2005) by the Jockeys' Guild on 26 September 1959 in recognition of his services rendered to the association. Thus the engraving on the back: "Ted Atkinson for unselfish service Jockeys' Guild Sept. 26, 1959". Cf.
Christie's.
credit: Christie’s, Antiquorum & Hodinkee
3/ MOVEMENT NO. ?
Brushed
silver dial with
English calendar.
Steel pink gold case.
Needle hands.
Small Arabic numerals. Signature at 6 o'clock: Audemars, Piguet
credit: Hodinkee
D/ CALIBER 13VZAQ 
credit: @pygmaliongallery
BONUS: COVERS FROM THE PYGMALION GALLERY
credit: @pygmaliongallery
