2020's Audemars Piguet (Re)Master 1 Steel Rose Gold Ref. 26595 (Full Set)

Audemars Piguet [RE]Master01

When Audemars Piguet introduced the [RE]Master01 in 2020, it surprised many collectors. Rather than revisiting the Royal Oak or another familiar icon, the manufacture looked back to one of its rarest creations—a two-tone chronograph produced in 1943. Originally created to celebrate the opening of the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, the project marked the beginning of the new [RE]Master collection, a series dedicated to reinterpreting historically significant watches from the brand's archives through the lens of contemporary watchmaking. Reference 26595SR was produced as a limited edition of just 500 pieces, remaining remarkably faithful to its vintage inspiration while incorporating Audemars Piguet's latest technical developments.

At first glance, the watch could easily be mistaken for a beautifully preserved vintage chronograph. The asymmetrical lugs, two-tone stainless steel and pink gold case, elongated Art Deco numerals and warm champagne dial all echo the original 1943 design with remarkable accuracy. The red "45" minute marker, blue tachymeter scale and distinctive bi-compax layout have all been carefully retained, giving the watch a character that feels authentically mid-century rather than simply vintage-inspired. Beneath this familiar appearance, however, lies Audemars Piguet's in-house calibre 4409, a modern flyback chronograph movement offering a column wheel, vertical clutch architecture and a 70-hour power reserve, visible through the sapphire caseback.

What makes the [RE]Master01 particularly compelling is the balance it strikes between old and new. Rather than reproducing the original watch exactly, Audemars Piguet chose to preserve its proportions, typography and design language while refining every element to modern standards. The result is a watch that wears like a contemporary chronograph but carries the elegance and individuality of a piece from the 1940s—a combination rarely achieved as successfully as it is here.

Presented complete with its original presentation box and warranty papers, this example offers collectors the opportunity to acquire one of Audemars Piguet's most considered modern releases. Produced in limited numbers and inspired by a chronograph that very few collectors will ever encounter in its original form, the [RE]Master01 ref. 26595SR has already established itself as one of the most distinctive tribute watches of recent years, seamlessly connecting the manufacture's rich heritage with its contemporary watchmaking expertise.