An attractive vintage piece, this time-only Audemars Piguet dress watch is an elegant addition to any collection, focusing on simplicity. Powered by a slim, ultra-thin movement, the watch also bears a highly attractive double signature, and was retailed at Meister, a jewellery firm based in Zrich.

Possessing an elegant and restrained mid-century design, this vintage Audemars Piguet piece bears all the hallmarks of a classic dress watch, combined with an ultra-thin movement and corresponding slim profile. Though it was produced several decades ago, it remains preserved in wonderful condition, from the sharp case to the neatly defined retailer signature on the dial.

An intriguing representative of the period, this watch demonstrates how different variations on the dress watch can be found across vintage examples. The piece is distinguished by long, slim hour markers and baton hands, with a brushed dial that retains its light ivory shade. It speaks to a time when the Audemars Piguet aesthetic remained undefined, allowing for surprising and beautiful combinations to appear.

The unusual Meister signature is perhaps one of our favourite details. Meister is a Swiss jewellery firm in the vein of Tiffany & Co., Beyer, or Gbelin. Primarily a retailer, the company was founded in 1881 by the goldsmith Emil Meister, and its interests are incredibly diverse, spanning jewellery, watches and clocks, silverware, crystal, and porcelain. It survives to this day, and is based in Zrich. Though this Swiss retailer may not be the most familiar, its obscurity lends a certain desirability to the watch, reminding us of the quirky nature of certain vintage pieces.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Audemars Piguet Meister will be subject to 20% VAT.

Closer look

This white gold Audemars Piguet dress watch is in excellent condition overall. Upon close inspection there are superficial scratches on the polished bezel and caseback, consistent with relative wear. The case retains its original shape, displaying sharp lugs and sloped bezel. The caseback shows crisp hallmarks and stamped numbers, with the textured ivory dial is preserved well without discoloration maintaining an even colour tone throughout. Note, on the sides of the lugs 2 are polished, remaining are brushed.