Among the cognoscenti, the Grand Sonnerie is considered the ultimate expression of haute horology, some even call it the king of complications. Audemars Piguet has an unparalleled history of making chiming wristwatches and this particular example is from a movement that was developed in the mid-1990s by the Le Brassus brand.

The Sonnerie function, usually found in clocks and clock watches, allows the movement to strike the hours and quarters on passing for “Grande Sonnerie” or “Petite Sonnerie” where it strikes only the hours on passing.

The present watch – apart from being able to strike the hours and quarters on passing with the “GS, PS or S (for Silence)” slide, can also strike the hours and quarters on demand via the button at 10 o’clock.

The watch presents an attractive face with a glossy piano black lacquer dial with applied Breguet numerals. It is housed in a streamlined brushed platinum case with a sloping bezel. Numbered 15/50, the watch was part of a limited series of watches produced by the brand and represents a great opportunity for connoisseurs to acquire a timepiece of real distinction.