Audemars Piguet 14790 - Yves Klein dial

[Jorssen]

Hey guys,

Just bought a 14790 Yves Klein, met up with a friend who has one to try out the size of a 14790. I used to have one years ago with short dial markers but forgot how it wears.

Just to say, I have a 7.2" wrist and the 36mm RO feels so much more classy on the wrist vs a jumbo. And it wears much larger than you'd think. I don't understand why so many sub 7" wrist guys wear a 15202, it often looks out of place.

The reason for my posting is mainly to ask more info about the Yves Klein dial.
Who knows more about it? Production numbers and years, rarity, etc?

I fell in love and that's why I bought it, didn't do any research.

Thanks!

Reference photo:

[calatravato]

What a coincidence! I just looked at one offered at Material Good in NYC. Beautiful watch-congrats! I was told that these are rare-probably less than 100 made.

[Jorssen]

Originally Posted by calatravato

What a coincidence! I just looked at one offered at Material Good in NYC. Beautiful watch-congrats! I was told that these are rare-probably less than 100 made.

Yes, that's what I've heard as well but I couldn't find much more info about it. It's gorgeous for sure and they seem to get some appreciation now. You have to see it in real life though, it's much better in person.

[Roccio]

Nice watch! I believe the reference number is 14790st.oo.0789st.01 which makes it among the first ref.14790 made.

As far as I know this was just one of the color choices that were available at the time, and Yves Klein naming was not a formal association; it was probably added later by a rather creative salesperson to promote the attractiveness of the dial. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that account.

As for rarity, these watches are already pretty rare to start with. Few are in the market and far fewer examples remain in their best condition. By default you are already looking at a 15K watch that used to go at around 5-7K two years ago.

There were a number of long stick index dark blue dials and short stick matt blue dials that came after this reference as well as two separate foundation limited editions featuring blue dials. So while this particular dial configuration is quite rare, it might not factor into the value as much- maybe 1-3K on top of a regular 14790 if I had to make a rough guess. But then again, I never anticipated the 15300 to climb all the way up to 20K territory so what do I know. At the end of the day its a very nice watch to wear and I'd definitely keep it for the years to come if I have one.

[asb396]

I've been told <20 of these have been made, but clearly thats just not true as I've seen at least 5 come up in the past 6 months. Dont think 25% of total production would come to market...

[AK797]

Looks cool, but what's next, Calvin Saint Laurent?

[HarryLime]

Originally Posted by asb396

I've been told <20 of these have been made, but clearly thats just not true as I've seen at least 5 come up in the past 6 months. Dont think 25% of total production would come to market...

Seriously, I saw several in Italy on one trip. Also Classic Watch NY posts these fairly frequently.

[ppalasthira]

Cool.


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[mineral]

Originally Posted by Roccio

Nice watch! I believe the reference number is 14790st.oo.0789st.01 which makes it among the first ref.14790 made.

As far as I know this was just one of the color choices that were available at the time, and Yves Klein naming was not a formal association; it was probably added later by a rather creative salesperson to promote the attractiveness of the dial. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that account.

As for rarity, these watches are already pretty rare to start with. Few are in the market and far fewer examples remain in their best condition. By default you are already looking at a 15K watch that used to go at around 5-7K two years ago.

There were a number of long stick index dark blue dials and short stick matt blue dials that came after this reference as well as two separate foundation limited editions featuring blue dials. So while this particular dial configuration is quite rare, it might not factor into the value as much- maybe 1-3K on top of a regular 14790 if I had to make a rough guess. But then again, I never anticipated the 15300 to climb all the way up to 20K territory so what do I know. At the end of the day its a very nice watch to wear and I'd definitely keep it for the years to come if I have one.

Good summary. Apart of this blue dial, there are several dial variants which also quite rare. One of them is the military dial. The lume is great on this watch and very cool when it glows in the dark.




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[Salyer]

Cool watch , would like to buy one

[tng11]

Originally Posted by mineral

Good summary. Apart of this blue dial, there are several dial variants which also quite rare. One of them is the military dial. The lume is great on this watch and very cool when it glows in the dark.

Man, I had one of these as my first APs back around 2010. Makes my heart burn thinking about how much I sold it for (less than $4,000).

[dchang81]

the thing about the arabic numerals version is id totally think it was a fake

[Roccio]

Military dial is certainly nice. I think they have a utilitarian look that none of the other ROs have. They might also become quite collectible over the years as a result of former unpopularity.

[mineral]

Originally Posted by tng11

Man, I had one of these as my first APs back around 2010. Makes my heart burn thinking about how much I sold it for (less than $4,000).

Ouch! I can feel the pain. It is natural process that happened to everyone. I am not excluded and wish I still kept many watches that I have sold.

Enjoy what you have now. Cheers


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[mineral]

Originally Posted by Roccio

Military dial is certainly nice. I think they have a utilitarian look that none of the other ROs have. They might also become quite collectible over the years as a result of former unpopularity.

Indeed it is unique. The sword and arrow hand sets and green Arabic hour markers.




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[Jorssen]

Originally Posted by asb396

I've been told <20 of these have been made, but clearly thats just not true as I've seen at least 5 come up in the past 6 months. Dont think 25% of total production would come to market...

Hmmm, I think 20 would be very limited and unrealistic. 50-100pcs seems more reasonable I think.

Originally Posted by HarryLime

Seriously, I saw several in Italy on one trip. Also Classic Watch NY posts these fairly frequently.

I wouldn't say frequently at all. I've been doing research about it as I want to know more about it so searched his page and found about 4 in total, 3 steel, 1 two tone since 2013 or so. So it's very well possible that he sold the same watch twice as well. There are YK dials on the perpetual calendar, chrono, quartz and 14790. According to Gai from Classic Watch NY there were about 50 pcs produced of the YK blue dial on the 14790.

Originally Posted by mineral

Good summary. Apart of this blue dial, there are several dial variants which also quite rare. One of them is the military dial. The lume is great on this watch and very cool when it glows in the dark.

Definately a cool piece! I'm not feeling drawn to it but it's cool to have imo. And rare indeed!

[Jorssen]

The 14790 arrived today, I love it! I have a 18.5cm wrist, about 7.3"







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[subtona]

Looks good. Is it a solid caseback or Saphire?

Can’t tell from pics, Does the dial have the typical machining marks of a jumbo?

[mineral]

Originally Posted by Jorssen

The 14790 arrived today, I love it! I have a 18.5cm wrist, about 7.3"







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Congrats and the dial really pop. Love the striking blue dial. I would love to add this in my collection ine day :).


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[fluffybunny]

Fantastic. Looks great on your wrist. I have one and it's much more wearable than some of the newer (read bigger) sizes. Wear it in good health.

[Roccio]

Fantastic photos.

Congrats on your excellent acquisition. Looks like the bezel is sharp and nice too.

[noodle9527]

Congrats! great looking watch!

[Jorssen]

Thanks guys!

[Razorsedge1]

Great watch! Perfect fit. Enjoy!

[AJM914]

Congrats very nice!

[watchprenuer]

looks great congrats

[cesco10]

Beautiful...look really amazing!

[Manually_Wound]

I believe mostnif not all 14790s were solid casebacks. This one definitely is as it is from the 90s. Not so sure about later model year 36mms (06'or 07)

Originally Posted by subtona

Looks good. Is it a solid caseback or Saphire?

Can’t tell from pics, Does the dial have the typical machining marks of a jumbo?

[bobernet]

Very nice. Looks great on you.

[Jorssen]

Thanks a lot guys! I absolutely love it, been wearing it all weekend, perfect piece.

Originally Posted by subtona

Looks good. Is it a solid caseback or Saphire?

Can’t tell from pics, Does the dial have the typical machining marks of a jumbo?

It's a solid caseback, the caseback is integrated in the case, like the old jumbo's. The dial has that typical machining marks indeed.

I'm more a vintage collector and imo the tapisserie of the vintage pieces is so much more charming and refined vs the new tapisserie.

But I'm a sucker for the RO's so I love them all.