With just a few pieces for sale worldwide, this is the 18ct yellow gold Audemars Piguet Meridian.

With the Quartz Crisis in full swing, Audemars Piguet responded by introducing a new model in the 1980s; the Meridian. Produced in very small numbers, especially in the 33mm men's size, it was formulated as a sporty yet elegant dress watch, drawing its inspiration from the early maritime explorers who relied on the astrolabe to navigate the seas.

In solid 18ct yellow gold, the Meridian pairs a slim, softly rounded case with an integrated multi-link bracelet that sits comfortably on the wrist. The smooth bezel, punctuated by engraved Arabic numerals at the cardinal points, offers a subtle nod to navigation without overpowering the clean design. A champagne dial with applied baton markers and a framed date aperture completes a watch that feels distinctly of its era, yet remains remarkably understated today.

While the Royal Oak understandably dominates discussions around 1980's AP, the Meridian represents a far rarer chapter in the manufacture's history. It offers collectors the opportunity to acquire an unconventional line that balances everyday wearability with genuine scarcity.