A solid eighteen carat yellow gold Ellipse model on alligator band with original gold buckle. This stunning timepiece is an example of AP's quality and elegance at its finest. This very clean and elegant soft oval design is said to originate from the “golden ratio” derived by ancient Greek mathematicians. 

This example, along with Patek Philippe's very similar model, was launched In the face of the looming quartz crisis. They were viewed as a work of art more than a timepiece. Advertisements of the era marketed the Ellipse as a “non-watch,” explaining that “people who merely need to know the time of day will choose a watch, not a Patek Philippe.” This was an interesting and very bold statement by the powerhouse of the Swiss watch industry. Rather than cave to the fleeting demands of the time, these iconic Swiss brands would continue to do what they did best, potentially even raising the bar.

The dial is very refined, simple and clean. A matte black throughout. The printing of the “Audemars Piguet” name and “Swiss” at the foot of the dial are all in gilt, which pops beautifully off the dial. The AP logo is a hand cut piece of solid eighteen carat gold wihch has achieved a beautiful tarnished finish today. The dial is in perfect, original condition. The hands are very simple with a clean gold pencil design. There was never any luminous material applied to the dial, as is consistent with dress watches. The 

The watch is powered by AP's caliber K1120. The Calibre K1120 is one of the most celebrated ultra-thin automatic movements of the 20th century. Introduced in 1967, it was based on the extraordinary Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 920, a movement developed for use by Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, although Jaeger-LeCoultre itself never used the calibre in a production watch.

At only 2.45 mm thick, the K1120 achieved remarkable thinness while retaining a full-sized central winding rotor. Rather than relying solely on a conventional central bearing, the rotor is supported around its circumference by a circular rail incorporating ruby rollers. A heavy 21-carat gold segment provides the necessary mass for efficient automatic winding. The movement has 36 jewels, beats at 19,800 vibrations per hour and provides approximately 40 hours of power reserve.

The same fundamental architecture became the Audemars Piguet Calibre 2120 and Patek Philippe Calibre 28-255. It would go on to power some of the most important watches of the following decades, making the K1120 family an important link between the great Swiss manufactures during one of the most technically ambitious periods of ultra-thin watchmaking.

Beyond its specifications, the K1120 is particularly admired for the elegance of its construction. Its remarkable thinness allowed watchmakers to create exceptionally refined cases without compromising the convenience of automatic winding, and more than half a century after its introduction, the architecture remains one of the great achievements of modern mechanical watchmaking.

This piece would have been designed toward the end of the 1970's. We have had the ladies version before. So, the model came in two sizes. This being the larger format version. The case and original leather band are in excellent condition throughout and are presented unpolished with the different finishes to the case still from the factory. The original eighteen carat gold signed AP and made by watch buckle maker extraordinaire; A & E Wenger. 

Overall, this Audemars answer to the Ellipse is a very beautiful and very rare watch. If you are looking for something refined, elegant and striking, it is difficult to think of a better piece. The images do not do justice to the beauty of the dial. Every element of the watch has been designed with the utmost thought. The shape of the case is curved to fit the wrist perfectly. The band is made to fit neatly into the watch case, so not as to interrupt the perfect ellipse shape, and removes the need for lugs. 

This is a very rare and special watch. If you are looking for the ultimate dress watch, or black tie watch, I can think of no finer. This watch has come from my personal collection. There is no box or paperwork present.