Comments:
Audemars Piguet introduced the Metropolis model at the SIHH 2001 with the platinum case.
The platinum case version is Ref. 25919PT.00.D002CR.01. Later on a pink gold version (also with white dial, Ref. 25919OR.00.D002CR.01) and a white gold version (black dial, Ref. 25919BC.00.D002CR.02) became also available.
The case with a diameter of 39mm is quite tapered. Compared to the Master Control case of Jaeger-LeCoultre the Audemars Piguet looks quite a bit smaller.
For extensive period reviews of the Metropolis model Italian watch magazines have to be consulted. L'Orologio (N. 103/Gennaio 2002) listed pros and cons. Pros were: complication watch with a truly new design which is also thrilling; really interesting and innovative movement combining a perpetual calendar with GMT; an "investment" also for collectors. The one Con ("not everybody will recognise and appreciate the value") was in a way turned into a Pro by stating this to be rather its greatest value/merrit.
I also like the Metropolis for its unusual design, with the watch still appearing discreet on the wrist. The curved and satin brushed case helps a lot with this.
Sorry for the uncleaned and not set watches in the photos!
Björn
An AP less commonly seen - the Jules Audemars Metropolis 25919
Over the last days I managed the odd moment of peace and quiet and went on some online exploration - who would have thought - about watches 
Picture from: Rakuten
Available in platinum (above) or rose gold (below), it comes in a relatively dressy 39x11mm case. Given the combination of complications this seems quite good. And the arrangement - while somewhat unusual for a world timer - does not seem cramped or crowded.
Picture from: World of Luxury
Picture from: Rakuten
And discovered an AP I have never seen before - the Jules Audemars Metropolis Ref. 25919. While world timers occasionally get combined with a date (Chopard), or a chronograph (GP, PP), the combination of a world timer with a perpetual calendar is genuinely rare.
So the find was quite interesting, at least to me 
Picture from: Rakuten
Available in platinum (above) or rose gold (below), it comes in a relatively dressy 39x11mm case. Given the combination of complications this seems quite good. And the arrangement - while somewhat unusual for a world timer - does not seem cramped or crowded.
Picture from: World of Luxury
The watch is powered by the Cal. 2120/2804 automatic movement. And it comes in the Jules Audemars case, whose brushed sides I find highly appealing.
Picture from: Rakuten
I am wondering if we have any owners here, current or past, that can shed more light and share their experiences with the watch.
Thanks in advance!
Not an owner, but it’s a great watch that still looks fresh.
Really great value for a big-3 perpetual calendar, if you can find one. And the skeletonized rotor is the cherry on top of a wonderful ultra thin movement.
Cheers,
John
Cheers,
John
Thanks a lot John!
Any idea when these were in production? Something also tells me not many were made...
A watch I always liked. At the point to consider it. Perpetual Calendar + World Time is great in my opinion, and the design of this watch is top.
As John mentioned it, the work on the rotor is a delight.
Best,
Nicolas
Thanks Nico!
Need to then find a close-up of the rotor Some non-RO/ROO gems hiding in the collection, too!
Some non-RO/ROO gems hiding in the collection, too!
This one was always one of my favorites of the "Jules Audemars" ! 😍
As far as I know, its from 2006 - at least my picture on my HD says this... 😉
Thanks a lot, MCG :)
If you have better pictures you can share that would be great! Ownership experience, too?
Just thought you had one...
From your picture on the HDD comment 😊
Not a problem at all and thanks for checking!
Not a problem at all and thanks for checking!
Saw it in production years ago while touring AP.
Fun watch, alway thought I wanted one but other AP’s got in the way.
Have always loved this watch...
...along with the Equation of Time that has a similar feel to it. The distorted numerals on the dial of this one are pure genius.
Definitely an interesting feature!
It seems there has been quite some numeral experimentation with the Jules Audemars line over the years 👍🏻
The Audemars Piguet Metropolis was available in Platinum, Pink Gold and White Gold
Audemars Piguet introduced the Metropolis model at the SIHH 2001 with the platinum case.
The platinum case version is Ref. 25919PT.00.D002CR.01. Later on a pink gold version (also with white dial, Ref. 25919OR.00.D002CR.01) and a white gold version (black dial, Ref. 25919BC.00.D002CR.02) became also available.
The case with a diameter of 39mm is quite tapered. Compared to the Master Control case of Jaeger-LeCoultre the Audemars Piguet looks quite a bit smaller.
For extensive period reviews of the Metropolis model Italian watch magazines have to be consulted. L'Orologio (N. 103/Gennaio 2002) listed pros and cons. Pros were: complication watch with a truly new design which is also thrilling; really interesting and innovative movement combining a perpetual calendar with GMT; an "investment" also for collectors. The one Con ("not everybody will recognise and appreciate the value") was in a way turned into a Pro by stating this to be rather its greatest value/merrit.
I also like the Metropolis for its unusual design, with the watch still appearing discreet on the wrist. The curved and satin brushed case helps a lot with this.
Sorry for the uncleaned and not set watches in the photos!
Björn
Who else but our absolute masters on the subject of world timers :)
I somehow hoped you had one Thanks so much for your concise analysis and pictures - very much appreciated! Definitely gaining in appeal seeing your great shots! 👌🏻
Thanks so much for your concise analysis and pictures - very much appreciated! Definitely gaining in appeal seeing your great shots! 👌🏻
Thank you for the information, Bjorn. I have to agree with your comments as well as
L'Orologio: the Metropolis was not popular in the marketplace when it was introduced and a current production model, hence not many were produced.
But this bodes well for "collectors" - underappreciated and misunderstood production models tend to offer the most "intrinsic value" on the secondary market vis a vis "market price."
The GMT function is actually quite a rarity among QP's.
I love the Jules Audemars model range and feel they are timeless. They might wear "small" but have tremendous "presence" in a classy elegant way. I ran into Emmanuel Gueit, the designer of the JA case, at a Fondation annual conclave a few years back, and he was quite proud of the JA (Mister Gueit also designed the Offshore)
Congrats on yours! Hope it gets regular wrist time.
TM
But this bodes well for "collectors" - underappreciated and misunderstood production models tend to offer the most "intrinsic value" on the secondary market vis a vis "market price."
The GMT function is actually quite a rarity among QP's.
I love the Jules Audemars model range and feel they are timeless. They might wear "small" but have tremendous "presence" in a classy elegant way. I ran into Emmanuel Gueit, the designer of the JA case, at a Fondation annual conclave a few years back, and he was quite proud of the JA (Mister Gueit also designed the Offshore)
Congrats on yours! Hope it gets regular wrist time.
TM
A model you should seriously consider...
Happy 2018, Kristjan!
Not produced in large numbers, with a two very unique features that make it stand out in a crowded secondary market -
1. The world timer QP combination
2. The beautiful dial, which at once is eye catching and stunningly detailed, without being too garish or vulgar.
The second is something that only time can prove.
Hard to believe the Metropolis is well over a decade old! Where does the time go?
Try to seek one out, you will not be disappointed.
TM
Not produced in large numbers, with a two very unique features that make it stand out in a crowded secondary market -
1. The world timer QP combination
2. The beautiful dial, which at once is eye catching and stunningly detailed, without being too garish or vulgar.
The second is something that only time can prove.
Hard to believe the Metropolis is well over a decade old! Where does the time go?
Try to seek one out, you will not be disappointed.
TM
Thanks a lot for the additional detail, Thomas!
I may well try and find one At the moment it’s the exploratory phase of what the principal acquisition of 2018 could be. Then it’s narrowing it down and hunting for one
My initial post here included a question of several chronographs I was looking at as a complete novice - the AP Millenary was one of them. While I decided on the Chopard LUC Chrono One in the end (the community was very persuasive) I definitely want to get a non-RO/ROO AP at some point.
And this does not look like a bad place to start
At the moment it’s the exploratory phase of what the principal acquisition of 2018 could be. Then it’s narrowing it down and hunting for one My initial post here included a question of several chronographs I was looking at as a complete novice - the AP Millenary was one of them. While I decided on the Chopard LUC Chrono One in the end (the community was very persuasive
) I definitely want to get a non-RO/ROO AP at some point. And this does not look like a bad place to start
Because it was not popular while current...
It represents tremendous value today.
Funny how great designs can have a second (and glorious!) life...
I have a Millenary chronograph to show you (and share with the AP forum)
Cheers,
TM
Funny how great designs can have a second (and glorious!) life...
I have a Millenary chronograph to show you (and share with the AP forum)
Cheers,
TM
Another WT+PC: GP WW PC
Thank you for sharing this great and less known piece!
I would like to take the opportunity to remember also one of the few World Time + Perpetual Calendar alternatives, the GP WW PC. Picture credit of Nicolas
It is a unique model.
I always adored the "domed" affect created by the numerals and dial guilloche.
I believe it first appeared in AP print in 2004. A photo from that catalog:
Thanks a lot for adding this great photo, Michael!
As you say, the effect is quite something
Must try and locate one to check it out in person!
Must try and locate one to check it out in person!
I always keep this AP at the back of my mind. I don’t know why but its “globe” effect is really desirable (at least for me). I won’t pull the trigger (too many projects before this one) but I would be really glad to wear it
As you mentioned, the fact to combine a perpetual calendar and a world time complication is truly rare which gives a supplementary appeal to this timepiece.
Best wishes
Alkiro
Best wishes
Alkiro