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Inside the Sale: The Story Behind One of the Most Expensive Watches WOLVYN Has Sold
When a client approached us to help them find a truly special watch, it sent us down a rabbit hole to discover one of the most exquisite pieces by Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet: Ref. 15412BC Sapphire Japan AP.
How the Story Begins
When our client first reached out, they were interested in a model with diamonds set toward the inside of the watch. With this preference in mind, we researched, discovered, and compared several rare variations.
One variation was a model a collector designed for himself and his friends. They were produced in three gemstone combinations: red rubies, green emeralds, and blue sapphires. They made five of each, for a total of 15 watches across the three versions.
Our research also led us to another variation covered in diamonds, as well as timepieces with hammered and frosted finishes, for which Audemars Piguet is well known. While spectacular, these didn’t quite fulfill the client’s preferences.
That’s when we found the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Ref. 15412BC Japan edition.
Discovering Audemars Piguet: Ref. 15412BC Sapphire Japan AP
Officially known as the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Ref. 15412BC.SS.1220BC.02, it’s a limited Japan release with only eight pieces made. We were drawn to this spectacular timepiece because its design was simpler than some of the other rare variations we encountered during our research.
What’s more, among all the rare and limited timepieces we found, Ref. 15412BC was also the only one that featured a blue balance bridge. This ultimately set it apart.
With its rarity and understated design, Ref. 15412BC Sapphire Japan AP checked every box for our clients, and we secured this special watch for them, bringing their search to a successful close.
Getting to Know Ref. 15412BC Sapphire Japan AP
The Audemars Piguet Ref. 15412BC Sapphire Japan AP stands out for its simplicity. It’s a striking timepiece with a double-balance-wheel openworked movement and a baguette-cut blue sapphire bezel, offering the perfect balance between technical innovation and design, according to Audemars Piguet. This bezel, paired with the blue balance bridge, really caught our attention and made us want to learn more.
The Case
Audemars Piguet certainly didn’t cut corners in producing this watch’s exquisite case. It features an 18-carat white gold case and an 18-carat white gold bezel. Gorgeous baguette-cut sapphires are set in the bezel. Completing the picture are the glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback and a screw-locked crown. The watch’s case is 41mm, 10.1mm thick, and water-resistant to 50m.
The Dial
The dial was particularly noteworthy to our client and us. An openworked rhodium-toned dial is accented by a striking blue balance wheel bridge, baguette-cut sapphire hour markers, and blue Royal Oak hands enhanced with a luminescent coating.
The Bracelet
Simple in design, the bracelet blends seamlessly with the watch’s dial and case. It’s an 18-carat white gold bracelet with an Audemars Piguet folding clasp. The clasp is a secure butterfly-style deployant buckle designed to keep the watch securely on your wrist.
The Setting
The Audemars Piguet Ref. 15412BC Sapphire Japan AP is adorned with 32 baguette-cut sapphires totaling approximately 3.19 carats on the bezel, complemented by 11 baguette-cut sapphires totaling around 0.17 carats, marking the hours. Together, these sapphires create a refined and continuous touch of color and brilliance across the entire watch.
The Caliber
This AP timepiece features Caliber 3132, an in-house automatic mechanical movement with a patented double balance wheel architecture for precision and stability.
- Functions: Hours, minutes, center seconds
- Mechanism: Self-winding
- Total diameter: 26.6mm
- Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph
- Number of jewels: 38
- Power reserve: 45 hours
- Number of parts: 245
- Thickness: 4.4mm
Information sourced from Audemarspiguet.com
The History of the AP Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Ref. 15412BC.SS.1220BC.02
The story of the Audemars Piguet Ref. 15412BC Sapphire Japan AP starts with the original Royal Oak: a Gérald Genta-designed watch with an octagonal bezel, exposed screws, an architectural case, and an integrated bracelet. Ref. 15412BC maintains all the fundamentals of the original Royal Oak, but with an exciting new design language like a skeletonized/openworked dial.
The important technical predecessor is Audemars Piguet’s Double Balance Wheel system. Rather than using the more common single balance assembly, AP designed a patented system with two balance wheels and hairsprings working together to improve stability and performance. The visual appeal was just a bonus.
That innovative technology became a defining feature of the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked family, of which Ref. 15412BC is a shining example. This watch also became a platform for exotic gem-set executions, including the Royal Oak Ref. 15412BC.TO.1220BC.01 with 18-carat white gold with a two-tone aesthetic and the Royal Oak Ref. 15412BC.YG.1224BC.03-B with a rainbow bezel set and baguette-cut multicolored gemstones. The sapphire Japan version isn’t just a different dial color; the bezel is the important distinction.
Start Your Rare Watch Journey with WOLVYN Luxury Timepieces
Everyone deserves a story of how they came to own their favorite watch. Are you ready to start your rare watch journey? Connect with the experienced team at WOLVYN Luxury Timepieces in Dallas-Fort Worth today.
Whether you’re looking for a rare Ref. 15412BC, your very first Rolex, or something very specific, we’re here to help you find what you’re looking for.
