The 1950s Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar Reference 5516 Watch Review

The 1950s Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar Reference 5516 Watch Review

The 1950s Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar Reference 5516 Watch Review

I'm not sure the number of occasions I have accepted this

The 1950s Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar Reference 5516 Watch Review

However i imagine as being a vintage Audemars Piguet collector. Timepieces are extremely rare, so beautiful, stand out, and until lately, completely individually distinct. Description of how the are becoming a bit more attention - along with a great triple calendar chronograph just offered for serious money at Christie's Geneva - however that does not mean the planet in particular has had notice. And that's why I'm penning this article today. A really world-class watch is on its way for purchase in a few days, and I wish to make certain the collecting world in particular takes note. This is an Audemars Piguet, in the 1950s, having a full perpetual calendar, two-tone dial, and leap year indicator. It is among nine available, also it may be the very best watch out for purchase this year.

Why is the 5516 stand out

First, the rarity. The timepiece is made in only nine examples. Compare that to the reference of the vintage Patek Philippe perpetual calendar. We're speaking a little fraction. Then compare the vintage AP perpetual production figures to producing any vintage perpetual calendar from Vacheron, Lange, Zenith, Rolex, Omega, or IWC. Oh, you heard right, none of individuals companies designed a vintage perpetual calendar watch, period.

Next, the 5516 was the initial watch to have a perpetual calendar having a leap year indicator - far before Patek Philippe's 3450 reference which may not appear before the early 1980s.

As you can tell, the 5516 shows leap year at 12 o'clock. In six from the nine known types of this reference, the moonphase is at the end from the dial while leap year reaches top. We still check this out configuration today with AP's latest perpetual calendar Royal Oak. Remember, this watch dates completely to 1957, 2 yrs before leap year indicators were seen on any Patek watch, and three before we'd view it on every other watch.

What elevates this 5516 even more may be the two-toned, silvered nature from the dial. You can observe the outer date ring, plus the 3 sub-registers really are a silvered color, set from the off-white-colored from the dial itself. This straightforward design trait is a that actually makes this AP shine in accordance with its peers, and again helps guide you attentively AP's were built in the center of 20th century.

The 5516 is perhaps certainly one of AP's most significant references 

Ever for that reasons pointed out above. What makes this watch special in my experience is the way beautiful it's. The downturned lugs, the 37 mm diameter, the totally legible, but complicated, two-tone dial. This watch is completely stunning, as well as in my belief, better searching than any similar Patek Philippe in the period - except for maybe this 2497 platinum.

Finally, this specific example, that is available via Christie's New You are able to in the approaching purchase, seems to stay in truly outstanding condition. I've come across wonderful types of the 5516, in the Marcus collection as well as in AP's private reserves, but this watch to become nearly as good, otherwise much better than any I have seen. Ultimately, this may be probably the most beautiful, most rarified, and many important mid-century AP's, in potentially the very best condition. And that's why, like I stated at first of the publish, I'm here suggesting about this. This really is a classic world-class watch, and that i sincerely hope it is going to some world-class collector who'll be thankful for those that it's.