AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MAuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at Auction
It purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, the “Grosse Pièce” is the most comprehensive astronomical timepiece ever created by Audemars Piguet, the company said.
Le Brassus, Switzerland—Audemars Piguet announced it has acquired the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated pocket watch the company created more than a century ago.
The timepiece, which spent decades out of the public eye, shattered records last week when Audemars Piguet purchased it for $7.7 million at Sotheby’s Important Watches auction, paying seven times the highest pre-sale estimate.
Completed in the early 1920s, it is the only ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet watch made in the 20th century, the company said.
It includes a minute repeater, grande and petite sonnerie, chronograph, and the brand’s only tourbillon in a pocket watch of that era.
With 19 complications, it ties with the watchmaker’s “Universelle” model, created in 1899, as the most complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch ever made.
Crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, the Grosse Pièce is the most comprehensive astronomical timepiece ever created by Audemars Piguet, the company said.
It’s also among the earliest to feature a sky chart, depicting the night sky over London with 315 stars, alongside sidereal time, a perpetual calendar, moon phases, and the equation of time.
True to its name (“Large Piece”), the pocket watch measures about 80 mm in diameter.
Related stories will be right here …
The timepiece, which spent decades out of the public eye, shattered records last week when Audemars Piguet purchased it for $7.7 million at Sotheby’s Important Watches auction, paying seven times the highest pre-sale estimate.
Completed in the early 1920s, it is the only ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet watch made in the 20th century, the company said.
It includes a minute repeater, grande and petite sonnerie, chronograph, and the brand’s only tourbillon in a pocket watch of that era.
With 19 complications, it ties with the watchmaker’s “Universelle” model, created in 1899, as the most complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch ever made.
Crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, the Grosse Pièce is the most comprehensive astronomical timepiece ever created by Audemars Piguet, the company said.
It’s also among the earliest to feature a sky chart, depicting the night sky over London with 315 stars, alongside sidereal time, a perpetual calendar, moon phases, and the equation of time.
True to its name (“Large Piece”), the pocket watch measures about 80 mm in diameter.
According to a history of the pocket watch provided by Sotheby’s, the genesis of the Grosse Pièce dates to 1914.
London-based watchmaking firm S. Smith & Son contacted Audemars Piguet’s London agents with a request for a special watch with celestial complications for one of its most important clients.
The pocket watch took several years to make and required the expertise of several well-known watchmakers outside of Audemars Piguet.
After being shown at the Geneva Watch Exhibition in 1920 and then delivered to the firm in 1921, the Grosse Pièce vanished from public view for decades.
In 1990, Gisbert Brunner, a horological historian, was informed of its whereabouts while doing research for an article in The Horological Journal.
He later connected with its owner, American collector Robert Olmsted, who allowed Brunner to photograph the piece for inclusion in the book he co-authored in 1993, “Audemars Piguet.”
A handwritten receipt shows that Olmsted bought the Grosse Pièce from Sydney (Sid) Rosenberg for $23,350 in March 1970.
It was a standout at Sotheby’s Important Watches sale on Dec. 8, which featured “The Olmsted Complications Collection,” an offering of the late collector’s timepieces.
“The reappearance of the Grosse Pièce at Sotheby’s marks a historic moment for collectors and enthusiasts. That this should happen in our 150th anniversary year makes it all the more extraordinary,” said Sebastian Vivas, director of heritage and museum at Audemars Piguet.
“We are delighted to welcome this important timepiece into the AP Heritage where it will be preserved, studied, and shared for generations to come.”
The company’s acquisition of the timepiece at Sotheby’s underscores its commitment to “safeguarding horological heritage and showcasing exceptional savoir-faire,” Audemars Piguet said.
The Grosse Pièce will embark on a multi-year world tour, appearing at select AP Houses—the brand’s exclusive, immersive retail spaces—and special events before being exhibited at the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, Switzerland.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
MajorsApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
Weekly QuizApr 16, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond DilemmaSally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.
MajorsApr 15, 2026
Spark Creations’ Randy McKenzie Dies at 72 McKenzie spent 45 years with Spark Creations and is remembered for being kind, dedicated, and hardworking.
WatchesApr 15, 2026
These Are the New Rolex Watches for 2026Rolex focused exclusively on the Oyster Perpetual this year, as the model is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
