AUDEMARS PIGUET, JULES AUDEMARS GRANDE SONNERIE REF. 2582 , A GOLD LIMITED EDITION WRISTWATCH

Among the cognoscenti, the Grand Sonnerie is considered the ultimate expression of haute horology, some even call it the king of complications. Audemars Piguet has an unparalleled history of making chiming wristwatches and this particular example is from a movement that was developed in the mid-1990s by the Le Brassus brand.

The Sonnerie function, usually found in clocks and clock watches, allows the movement to strike the hours and quarters on passing for “Grande Sonnerie” or “Petite Sonnerie” where it strikes only the hours on passing.

The present watch – apart from being able to strike the hours and quarters on passing with the “GS, PS or S (for Silence)” slide, can also strike the hours and quarters on demand via the button at 10 o’clock. It is a true marvel to look at the calibre 2868, consisting of more than 500 individual parts, all working symbiotically to perform a spectacular chime.

Whilst the original intention of the complication which announces the time in the dark may now seem archaic and unnecessary, the significance of the present watch cannot be overstated.