Audemars Piguet Serial Numbers Guide and Production Year Lookup
Audemars Piguet Serial Numbers
Audemars Piguet manufactures approximately 40,000 watches annually. Each watch features a unique sequence of numbers on its caseback. Since 1975, these numbers have been preceded by a letter that changes after every 100,000 watches. Given the production rate, this letter typically changes every 2.5 to 3 years. This allows for an estimation of the manufacturing year by looking at the sequential number and noting that it advances roughly every three years.
| From | To | Start | End Approx. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | 105393 | 1951 | 1976 |
| B 1 | B 99999 | 1975 | 1990 |
| C 1 | C 99999 | 1984 | 1995 |
| D 1 | D 99999 | 1991 | 2000 |
| E 1 | E 99999 | 1998 | 2010 |
| F 1 | F 99999 | 2003 | 2010 |
| G 1 | G 99999 | 2009 | 2015 |
| H 1 | H 99999 | 2011 | 2015 |
| I 1 | I 99999 | 2013 | 2020 |
| J 1 | J 99999 | 2015 | 2020 |
Audemars Piguet Reference Numbers
Audemars Piguet reference numbers provide information about the watch’s type, material, dial and movement. The reference number of an AP is structured 99999AA.BB.8888CC.77. Each part provide you an additional piece of information.
99999AA.BB.8888CC.77 – bolded numbers represent the model number
99999AA.BB.8888CC.77 – bolded letters represent the material of the watch
CB – White Ceramic
PT – Platinum
IO – Titanium and Ceramic
OR – Rose Gold
CE – Black Ceramic
RO – Rose Gold and Ceramic
SA – Steel and Yellow Gold
BC – White Gold
BA – Yellow Gold
SO – Steel and Ceramic
ST – Stainless Steel
SR – Steel and Rose Gold
TI – Titanium
99999AA.BB.8888CC.77 – bolded letters represent bezel type
GG – Frosted (Hammered) Gold Bezel
OO – Smooth Bezel
YG/YY – Colored Gemstone-Set Bezel
ZZ – Diamond-Set Bezel
99999AA.BB.8888CC.77 – bolded combination of numbers and letters represent the bracelet/strap
KB – Rubber-Coated Strap
CR – Leather Strap
CA – Rubber Strap
VE – Calfskin Strap
99999AA.BB.8888CC.77 – bolded numbers represent the dial code of each model
Audemars Piguet Movement Numbers
In addition to a unique serial number, every Audemars Piguet watch features a distinct movement number. The serial number confirms the watch’s authenticity, while the movement number provides information about the internal mechanics and functions. This number is essential for identifying and replacing parts. The movement number is typically located on the bridge of the movement. If the watch has a transparent caseback, you can see it directly; otherwise, the caseback needs to be removed.
Movement numbers are meticulously recorded in a Production Register (Registre d’Établissage), with the earliest records starting in 1882 at number 2000. Notably, Audemars Piguet never assigns a movement number of 1,000,000. After reaching 999,988, they adopted a new alphanumeric system with two letters followed by four digits, beginning with AA0001 and ending with AA9999. This sequence then continues with AB0001, and so on.
| Years | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| 1880* - 1889 | 2000 | 4500 |
| 1890 - 1899 | 4000 | 6500 |
| 1900 - 1909 | 6000 | 14000 |
| 1910 - 1919 | 11000 | 27000 |
| 1920 - 1929 | 23000 | 42000 |
| 1930 - 1939 | 41000 | 45000 |
| 1940 - 1949 | 44000 | 60000 |
| 1950 - 1959 | 55000 | 80000 |
| 1960 - 1969 | 72000 | 120000 |
| 1970 - 1979 | 110000 | 230000 |
| 1980 - 1989 | 220000 | 350000 |
| 1990 - 1999 | 330000 | 490000 |
| 2000 - 2009 | 475000 | 750000 |
| 2010 - 2017 | 700000 | 999999 |
