Reading Audemars Piguet (AP) serial numbers depends on the age of the watch, as AP has used different numbering systems throughout its history.
The most common method for modern AP watches is deciphering the sequential letter that precedes the numbers.
Here is a guide to the primary methods:
1. Modern Watches (Post-1972) - The "Series Letter" System
Since the launch of the Royal Oak in 1972, Audemars Piguet has used an alphanumeric case serial number (often called the "big case number") where a letter indicates the production series/period.
3. The Movement Number
Every Audemars Piguet movement has its own unique serial number, which is distinct from the case serial number.
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Location: Engraved directly on the movement's mainplate or a bridge. It is visible through a transparent caseback or by removing a solid caseback.
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Purpose: This number is crucial for confirming a watch's authenticity and for service history, as it's recorded in AP's archival Production Registers (Registre d'Établissage).
The most accurate way to date and verify any Audemars Piguet watch is to request an Extract from the Archives from Audemars Piguet, using the case serial number and/or the movement number. This document provides the exact date of manufacture, the model reference, and the movement details, directly from the company's historical records.
