The vintage ads presented in this website are not featured in the Watch Ads books.
Gli annunci pubblicitari d'epoca presentati in questo sito non sono inseriti nei volumi Watch Ads.
The sixth Alpina in-house movement is a tribute to the “bumper” automatic used by the company in the 1950s. Instead of turning 360° like a contemporary rotor, the oscillating weight turned 120° - on both sides a spring sent the mass back in the opposite direction and facilitated the winding of the movement. The contemporary caliber shares the same geometry and inspiration but for two details: the oscillating weight rotates 330° rather than 120° and a blade replaces the traditionally shaped springs. The Caliber AL-709 Is visible through the open case back of the new Alpina Startimer Pilot Manufacture.
Antiquorum celebrated 50 years of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak by recalling its long time history with the iconic watch designed by Gérald Genta and introduced in 1972. The Geneva auctioneer recorded nearly 1,000 Royal Oaks presented for sale since 1992, of which nearly eight out of ten were sold. This thirty year archive provides an interesting reference on the evolution of the model’s value. Here are a few examples (pictures courtesy of Antiquorum Genéve).
This Royal Oak Jumbo “A Series” (number 88) in stainless steel was produced in 1972. Equipped with its Gay Freres bracelet dated 1.72, it sold for CHF 40,000 in 2012.Nine years later (July 2021), this stainless steel Royal Oak Jumbo dating back to 1976 sold for CHF 286,000.
The most expensive Royal Oak Jumbo in yellow gold was this “B Series” sold in November 2020 for CHF 150,000.
Produced in 1986, this was one of the first Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars in gold. Last January it sold for EUR 260’000.
In December 2021, this Perpetual Calendar in platinum and pink gold dating back to 1997 fetched CHF 178’000.
This stainless steel Perpetual Calendar produced in 1996 features an extremely unusual salmon dial. Sold in November 2021 for CHF 462’500.
Modelled on original creations from the 1920s (see the vintage ad below), this timepiece sticks with the same Arabic numerals and luminescent beige hands as the dials from the era. The 44 mm case hosts an automatic movement with 38 hours power reserve, driving three hands and the date at 3 o’clock. The "onion" crown was the standard in the last century, designed for optimum grip, even with flying gloves on. The push-button at 4 o’clock opens the steel case back, allowing the AL-525 automatic movement to be seen. The Startimer Pilot Heritage Automatic will be limited to 288 pieces.