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Audemars Piguet Star Wheel 25720BA Automatic - 18K Yellow Gold Wandering Hours

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A 17th Century Idea, Perfected In The 90s
The Audemars Piguet Star Wheel is a masterclass in unconventional watchmaking. It resurrects the "wandering hours" complication, a method of telling time that dates back to a papal request in the 1650s. Instead of traditional hands, three sapphire discs carrying the hour numerals rotate across a 120-degree arc showing the minutes. AP was the first to successfully adapt this complex, almost forgotten mechanism into a wristwatch, launching the Star Wheel in 1991. It represents a moment when one of the world's most revered watchmakers decided to look back centuries to create something entirely new.
Yellow Gold And Ornate Finishing
This reference 25720BA is executed in a classic 36mm 18K yellow gold case, giving the avant-garde time display a traditional and luxurious frame. The lower half of the dial features ornate hand-finishing, providing a rich, textured backdrop for the mechanical performance taking place above it. It's this combination of a classic dress watch silhouette with a deeply intellectual time-telling method that makes the Star Wheel so compelling. The watch is a paradox, both an elegant gold timepiece and a piece of kinetic art.
An Excellent And Well Preserved Example
This piece is in excellent condition. The 18K yellow gold case is sharp and appears unpolished, with a strong presence on the wrist. The semi-skeletonized dial and its intricate wandering hours mechanism are perfectly preserved. This example is fitted to its original Audemars Piguet black leather strap and matching 18K yellow gold buckle, completing the factory presentation. As with every watch we offer, this piece has been verified as mechanically sound and is ready to wear.
For The Collector Who Values Ingenuity
The Star Wheel appeals to the collector who appreciates the intellectual and mechanical side of horology. The act of reading the time is a deliberate and engaging experience, connecting the owner to a rich history of watchmaking innovation. It’s a statement piece that favors ingenuity over pure brand recognition, and it remains one of the most interesting and thoughtfully executed watches of the late 20th century.
Key Specs
Reference: 25720BA
Model: Star Wheel
Year: 1990s
Movement: Automatic
Case Size: 36mm
Bezel: 18K Yellow Gold
Strap: Original Black Leather Strap
Dial: Semi-Skeletonized with Wandering Hours
Metal: 18K Yellow Gold
Weight: 55.6g
SKU: 1792