The best of 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 placing a bid at a forthcoming auction for one of these! At 33mm in diameter, it is a size that I am comfortable with and Audemars Piguet's minute repeaters offer a clarity that most aspire to. Which one though is a quite a tough question. The John Shaeffer Star Wheel is a unique way of telling the time where the hour discs rotate and point towards the minute scale to tell the time (11.02 in the photo). The detailing on the skeleton watch which extends to the movement is quite a sight to behold although one might argue it is not so easy to tell the time. The fact that both watches are in platinum and the Star Wheel is limited to only ten pieces make either of these watches a compelling buy.
The Star Wheel is a AP at its creative best in the 90s.
Notice the engraved movement!
Thank you for reading!
The Star Wheel is a AP at its creative best in the 90s.
Notice the engraved movement!
The first piece is simply amazing- really my taste in several ways.
Thank you, Sham for posting this masterpiece
Thank you Christian!
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 same price as a new Patek Calatrava! Yes I know 
Two beautiful and classy pieces, I probably never saw either one. Thanks for alerting me so I'll try to outbid you at the auction. [nt]
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I dare say that you will be one of many purists who will outbid me! :-)
At least leave one for me if possible please
:-)) Just jesting of course, I actually never bought at auctions so far :-) My best wishes in obtaining those beauties!! Cheers. [nt]
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I have only bought at an auction once!
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!!
I'd be curious to know what it costs to service more complicated, older pieces like these
Did you have an estimate?
I have not enquired but
I will set aside USD5k for any service required which should cover it I hope.
In which case, I strongly suggest
that you go for this one!! It is number 10 out of 10. I love it but hey, I am sure you do too
You are most welcome!
These watches are almost like hidden gems in the world of Audemars Piguet!
That first one is extremely tasty
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
Cheers Vinnie!
I shall put all my effort into obtaining this watch but I fear my best may not be good enough! One can only try
Great watches, I also spotted them
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
Dirk, they are both the same size.
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 some great deals to be found on "vintage" APs
Some of the complications available for the asking prices are unreal.
I totally agree!
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, Rexheps, Romain Gauthiers and Laurent Ferriers of this world but I think something has gone amiss here. And hallelujah for that!!!
Good choices, particularly the first.
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 being dismissed without further thought.
These are both extraordinary watches, particularly the first Star Wheel. Good luck with the bidding. If they remain under appreciated for long enough, perhaps I can dream of owning one in my lifetime.
These are both extraordinary watches, particularly the first Star Wheel. Good luck with the bidding. If they remain under appreciated for long enough, perhaps I can dream of owning one in my lifetime.
Agreed!
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.
Thank you Nico!
This seems to be the general consensus and I am swayed towards the Star Wheel too
