
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Audemars Piguet Ultra-Thin 5043 Retailed By Bvlgari
- Maker / attribution
- Audemars Piguet (maker)
- Date
- c. 1950s
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 32 mm
- Stock no.
- Product 10087203275028
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Collectors Corner NY (product 10087203275028)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Audemars Piguet Ultra-Thin 5043 Retailed By Bvlgari - Extremely Rare/*Unpolished* (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York (stock number Product 10087203275028), this is a wristwatch by Audemars Piguet, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1950s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 32 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Collectors Corner NY
Audemars Piguet is one of the top selling watch brands, mainly due to the Royal Oak. However, there are plenty of other fantastic offerings in their vintage catalog through the decades, especially with regards to their dress watches. AP are known for some of their highly technical and complicated dress pieces as well but for some those options might be too cumbersome to operate and maintain. For those who appreciate minimalist time only designs, there are plenty of interesting finds to discover among vintage Audemars Piguet watches today. This particular ultra-thin ref. 5043 circa 1950s is housed in 18k yellow gold. It features a white dial with retailer signature from BVLGARI, making it an extremely rare find. The 32mm case is remarkably thin, made possible by the manual winding and legendary cal. 2003. This piece has remained in excellent vintage condition overall. There is a touch of aging at the dial's perimeter but still presents very nicely. The case has remained in sharp, unpolished condition with a crisp hallmark and markings. This piece comes accompanied by a blue gator strap and 18k AP signed AW pin buckle. For anyone looking for a high quality vintage dress watch that's truly special, this is a unique find we'd be hard pressed to source again.
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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