Back in 2020, weeks after the global shutdown, Audemars Piguet decided to bring us an interesting model based on a one-off two-tone “Teardrop” chronograph model from 1943. The first of the Swiss brand’s [Re]Master series, the [Re]Master01 sported a very old-looking Art Deco aesthetic despite being updated for modernity. However, fitting in with this current wave of ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s reissues, AP’s follow-up is a bit more accessible and a lot more fun. Let’s talk about the [Re]Master 02…
From Rare to Reissue
Long before it invented the idea of a luxury sports watch with its Royal Oak in 1972, Audemars Piguet was in the business of scarcity. In fact, throughout the 1930s and ‘50s, barely 300 examples were ever made by the company. As such, many models were one-offs. This changed a bit by the ‘60s, but not by much.
Between 1959 and 1963, AP had quite a thing for asymmetrical watches, with over 30 different models of this kind made during that time. However, most of them had a limited run of just ten or fewer pieces. As such, the [Re]Master02 watch announced this week is based on a model from 1961, reference 5159BA, of which only seven pieces were made.
AP [Re]Master02 Basics
Falling in line with the brutalist architecture popular at the time, the original reference 5159BA was a classy yellow gold timepiece featuring a white dial. For this reissue, AP has swapped in a Sand Gold material — an 18k gold alloy with a unique, gray-like color, but it also changes color a bit depending on the angle. And rather than the white/gray dial of the 1961 model, this one opts for a dark blue, dubbed “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50.” The color is inserted via PVD into the twelve separate angled compartments inside the dial’s baseplate, which has been machined to achieve this unique appearance.
While the original was a mere 27.5mm across, this new one is much larger at 41mm. The case is covered with an asymmetrical crystal that’s faceted on the right side to match the case itself. For those curious about the length of the minute hand compared to the dial, which is smaller at the 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions, AP has secretly cut out space for the hand to pass underneath the case. Affixed to the watch is an alligator leather strap in a matching blue color with an 18k Sand Gold buckle.
If the striking aesthetic weren’t enough, the timepiece also ticks with the automatic in-house caliber 7129, which modifies the caliber 7121 to remove the date function, making this movement an amazingly thin 2.8mm. You can see this movement through the sapphire caseback.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 41mm
Case Thickness: 9.7mm
Case Material: 18k Sand Gold
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: In-house Caliber 7129 automatic
Band: Alligator leather strap with 18k Sand Gold buckle
Limited Edition?: Yes, 250
Pricing & Availability
Compared to the 7 examples of the original reference 5159BA, the [Re]Master02 is significantly less limited, albeit limited nonetheless. With only 250 pieces in its run, the watch is priced at $47,200 from Audemars Piguet.
Recap
Audemars Piguet [Re]Master02
Audemars Piguet revives a limited-to-7 model from the 1960s with its 2nd entry into its [Re]Master series, featuring a brutalist asymmetrical case made of 18k Sand Gold.
