Audemars Piguet Vintage Tank Watch 18K Gold 1950s – 9/10 RSQ Manual Movement + Box

At 10 over 10, we are of course very charmed by vintage watches, but when it comes to truly early models from the 1950s of the iconic brand Audemars Piguet, our hearts do beat just a little faster. These are the pieces you don't often encounter in good condition, often sparking conversation among enthusiasts, and which we cannot let pass us by.

Here before us, we have a vintage Audemars Piguet Tank dress watch model in 18k yellow gold, from the 1950s (circa 1950–1953). This piece originates from one of the early production years of the brand, even before the introduction of the modern reference system, when Audemars Piguet largely produced by hand in small batches.

What makes this watch particularly interesting is that the serial number is within the same production series as other well-known examples from this period, further supporting the dating to the early 1950s.

What gives this watch extra character is the unique case shape. It has the sleek, angular appearance of a Tank model, but with subtle raised sides that give the case a bit more depth and presence. Additionally, the gold crown is beautifully integrated into the case, making the whole look extra sleek. The subtly designed lugs also fit perfectly within the design and give the case a refined appearance. The 18k gold case measures approximately 26 mm wide without the crown and 34.5 mm from lug to lug.

Within collector circles, the design of this watch is often linked to the early "Genta era" of Audemars Piguet, a period during which Gerald Genta was involved in design development and the brand experimented with new case shapes and proportions. This Tank model, with its angular lines and geometric execution, is a perfect example of that.

What makes us most happy is that this 18k gold Audemars Piguet Tank model features the unique 9/10 RSQ tonneau-shaped movement, a hand-wound caliber known within the vintage AP world for its refined finishing and very high quality for its time. What makes this movement particularly special is that it is specially shaped to better fit the form of the case. Many square and rectangular watches from this period were often equipped with a round movement, making a beautifully shaped tonneau-shaped caliber like this significantly rarer. It is precisely these kinds of details that show how much attention Audemars Piguet paid to the construction and finishing of its watches at the time. This hand-wound movement has of course been fully serviced by our watchmaker.

During this production phase, the brand also experimented extensively with case shapes and proportions. While many examples from this series have a more classic round or tonneau-oriented shape, this piece stands out due to its more geometric execution.

What makes collecting this type of Audemars Piguet watches particularly interesting is that only limited documentation has survived from this period. This makes these AP models especially sought after in the collector's world.

We must not forget the dial, which is finished in original silver and features applied gold bars, combined with gold baton hands, giving it a very elegant and timeless appearance. Notably, the printing “Audemars Piguet” is aligned close to the 11, 12, and 1 o'clock positions, which is correct for this original dial. This is not a re-dial, something that occurs with vintage watches from this period. Additionally, the dial shows light patina but remains beautifully clean and in original condition.

The dial is signed with “AUDEMARS, PIGUET”, “GENEVE” and “SWISS”, including the characteristic comma between Audemars and Piguet. Furthermore, the watch features its original plexiglass.

The watch features a new black leather RIOS strap and comes with its original 18k vintage Audemars Piguet buckle. This beautiful and unique vintage Audemars Piguet dress watch is delivered with its original red AP box/sleeve and a 2-year warranty on the movement.

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What you need to know
- Vintage Audemars Piguet Tank-Style dress watch
- 1950s
- 18K yellow gold case
- Diameter: 26 mm wide without crown, 34.5 mm from lug to lug
- Original dial with applied gold bars and gold baton hands
- Tonneau-shaped 9/10 RSQ AP movement, fully serviced
- Delivered with original 18K vintage AP buckle and AP box
- 2-year warranty on the movement
- Free insured shipping

Audemars Piguet

Audemars Piguet is a Swiss watch brand known for its luxury timepieces and innovative designs. Founded in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in Le Brassus, a village in the Vallée de Joux, a region in Switzerland famous for its watchmakers. Both founders were watchmakers by trade. In 1881, they formalized their partnership by officially establishing the firm Audemars Piguet & Cie. From the beginning, the company focused on creating complex timepieces, such as minute repeaters, chronographs, and calendar watches.