Introduction
Understated in its design, the Audemars Piguet ref. 5273 is a round 34mm stainless steel timepiece with one of Audemars Piguet’s most historically important movements powering it. Working with fellow watchmakers Jaeger LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin since 1966 to develop an ultra-thin automatic movement, Audemars Piguet was able to release one of the world’s thinnest automatic movements in 1967. Famed for featuring a peripheral winding rotor that rides a rail along the outside of the movement, the cal. 2120 was able to achieve a 2.45mm thickness which was a record that remained intact until the new millennium. Used in the Royal Oak in 1972, the cal. 2120 has proven to become one of Audemars Piguet’s most historically important movements and thus, by extension, the ref. 5273 remains incredibly valuable to the brand’s heritage.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
V 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Service Invoice and Previous Sales Invoice
Est. value range
$4,000 – $6,000
The Details
Brand
Audemars Piguet
Dimensions
34mm
Model
Vintage
Movement
Automatic cal. 2120
Reference
5273ST
Bracelet
Leather strap
Year
Late 1960s
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch, 2022-dated AP service invoice and Loupe This invoice
Dial Color
White
THE DIAL
Featuring black-painted Roman Numerals on a silvered-white surface, this example's dial is classic and traditional. Additionally, the hands are also black, making them more visible against the light-colored dial.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Offered as a dress-style watch, the ref. 5273ST was intensely classical in its design, with a round case shape and straight lugs. Additionally, with its 34mm diameter, it wears well, given the recent move towards smaller watches.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in excellent overall condition. Steel case in strong condition, with little signs of surface wear. The original silver dial with Roman indexes is in very good condition. There are signs of light spotting visible on the surface, and it appears that some of the text on the dial has degraded, with a blurry "M" in Audemars and some bleeding in the word "Automatic". The watch was originally sold on Loupe This in 2021, and has since been overhauled at the manufacture, with a service document included. Watch comes with an original Wenger for AP buckle in 18k wg.
Please Note: Due to CITES considerations, if the watch is to be shipped outside of the USA, the exotic skin strap will have to be removed.
Our Perspective
An underappreciated alternative to a Patek Philippe Calatrava, the AP 5273 houses arguably one of the most important movements of the 20th century. Its slim profile and screwback case design make it perfect daily wear watch.
Justin Gruenberg
Co-founder
