Object Description
Unique and magnificent jewel encrusted automaton watch by Audemars Piguet
Swiss, 2002
Height 8.5cm, width 6cm, depth 2cm
This spectacular watch is by Audemars Piguet. The piece was commissioned from and created by Audemars Piguet during the first years of the new century and was sold in 2002 for 970,000 Swiss Francs. It is materially superb: crafted from 18K white cold and inset with approximately 1,600 diamonds and sapphires, with almost 38 carats of diamonds and nearly 60 carats of sapphires.
The white gold outer case of the watch is designed about the scheme of day and night. The front cover features a sun, cloud, and sky, crafted from yellow sapphires, diamonds, and blue sapphires, respectively. The reverse, in contrast, is adorned with a crescent moon, crafted from diamonds, and set within a composition of blue sapphire sky and white clouds.
The inner case, meanwhile, is adorned to the front with a mother of pearl clock dial, which is encompassed by a border wrought to resemble floral petals—the petals crafted from sapphires and mother of pearl. The reverse of the inner case is utterly unique: a bat silhouette automaton is set above a full moon of diamonds against a lapis lazuli sky. The symbol is instantly recognisable as that of Batman. The bat automaton can be activated by a slide on the side of the case.
The dial of the watch is signed ‘Audemars Piguet,’ the case is numbered ‘D 94947’, and the movement is numbered ‘366996’. The movement, like the case, is unique.