Have you heard the news? One of the most historically important timepieces ever conceived by Audemars Piguet (AP) has finally returned home.
Lovingly known as the “Grosse Pièce”, the S. Smith & Son Astronomical Watch has been successfully re-acquired by the brand. Commissioned way back in 1914 and finally completed in 1921, this pocket watch certainly is a true marvel of human ingenuity.
A Century of Secrets
The story of the “Grosse Pièce” is as captivating as the mechanics itself. It’s an ultra-complicated masterpiece, a shining legacy of AP’s high watchmaking prowess. However, even after its completion in 1921, this magnificent timepiece was practically hidden from public view, only emerging for the world to see in the 1990s! For decades, the public could only catch glimpses of it through old archival notes and rare, grainy photographs. Which, honestly, just makes this pocket watch all the more mystical.
2025 welcomes a new era. An era where this timepiece can really shine. This is because Audemars Piguet had successfully secured the legendary timepiece at an auction during Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in New York. This acquisition, to Audemars Piguet, is more than just owning a piece of history; it’s a brilliant showcase of the brand’s ongoing commitment to preserving watchmaking heritage and celebrating the majestic art of horology. A symbol of homecoming.
A Pocket Powerhouse
Who would have thought a pocket watch could house such mind-boggling complexity?
This unique timepiece is crafted in stunning 18-carat yellow gold. It stands as the most comprehensive astronomical timepiece ever created by Audemars Piguet and ranks among the earliest to feature a detailed sky chart. And what a chart it is!
Flip it over and you’ll find a celestial view depicting the night sky over London with an incredible 315 stars. Alongside this cosmic display, the watch manages to fit in sidereal time, a perpetual calendar, moon phases, and the ever-challenging equation of time.
As the only ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet watch of the 20th century, the “Grosse Pièce” doesn’t stop there. It also boasts a minute repeater, grande and petite sonnerie, a chronograph, and the brand’s only tourbillon in a pocket watch of that era.
In fact, with a whopping 19 complications, the “Grosse Pièce” now officially ties with the legendary “Universelle” of 1899 as the most complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch ever created. It’s a living testament to the établissage system of the Vallée de Joux, the incredible practice of bringing together specialised artisans to create these complicated timepieces. Truly a team effort for the ages!
See The Grosse Pièce For Yourself!
Following this monumental acquisition, the “Grosse Pièce” won’t be gathering dust. Instead, it will embark on an exciting multi-year world tour, appearing at select AP Houses and special events. Eventually, it will take its rightful place as a permanent exhibit at the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus.
It’s a happy ending for a truly grand piece of horological history, and we can’t wait to see this beautiful ‘Grosse Pièce’ finally shine for all to admire.
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