Audemars Piguet Reference 5072ST

The time-only vintage Audemars Piguet watches with VZSS movements based upon a Valjoux ebauche are some of the most beautiful and desirable time-only watches ever made. Among those models, the 5072 is arguably the most desirable because of the large size and water-resistant case with antimagnetic dust cover.

For the reference 5072s, most are in yellow gold (BA) and a few are in rose gold, but only a mythical few are known in steel (ST). In fact, far fewer than 10 are known to the market in steel. This is the third one I have owned and I can say this reference in steel is my all-time favorite time-only Audemars Piguet. The cases were made by  Charles-Rodolphe Spillman (C.R.Spillman). Spillman also made cases for Universal Geneve chronographs that are extremely desirable, early Rolex Oyster cases, and later made the Rolex Daytona cases for the 1960s to the 1980s. In addition, CRS made cases for OMEGA Speedmasters in the 1980s and it is regarded as one of the finest case makers in the world.

 This example is the only one I have seen with a wider Audemars Piguet font. All the rest I have seen in steel have an extremely tiny Audemars Piguet font.

The watch dates to circa 1955. The case measures 37mm and is fitted to a 19mm strap, a common size for the Spillmann cases. The case has been lightly polished and has just been serviced. The crown has been replaced. We believe it came from the family of the original owner. The hour markers and hands were previously painted for legibility for the original owner, but our watchmaker has expertly removed the paint without harming the integrity of the dial (no other dealer would disclose this). This is truly a special and uncommon opportunity to purchase this grail watch. An unpolished reference 5072ST example has traded for more than double what we are asking for this one! We have paired it on a 19mm Gay Freres bracelet from the era which is extremely attractive.

SOLD (Item SBUXYT2434)