Audemars Piguet Elongated Tank Ref. 4032BC | 18k White Gold | Maze Dial | Cal. 2090 | 1970s

Description

This Audemars Piguet Ref. 4032BC is vintage AP at its most fearless. Long, architectural, and deeply unconventional, it comes from a short but important period in the 1970s when Audemars Piguet was experimenting freely with form, texture, and precious metals.

The elongated tank-style case is carved from solid 18k white gold and paired with a silky, fully integrated white gold bracelet. This is not stamped or modular construction. It’s goldsmith work from an era when AP treated bracelet watches as sculptural objects rather than products.

The dial is where things get truly interesting. Finished in black with an abstract, maze-like painted texture, it feels graphic and almost playful. The pattern has an organic randomness to it, often likened to a Pac-Man style map, and that’s part of the charm. It’s bold without being loud, artistic without being gimmicky.

Inside is the manual-wind Calibre 2090, chosen specifically for its slim profile and reliability. It allows the case to stay elegant and balanced while keeping the experience tactile and mechanical.

Specifications

• Brand: Audemars Piguet
• Model: Elongated Tank
• Reference: 4032BC
• Year: Circa 1970s
• Movement: Manual wind, Calibre 2090
• Case Material: Solid 18k white gold
• Case Dimensions: 29 × 32 mm
• Case Shape: Elongated rectangular / tank style
• Dial: Black with abstract maze-style painted texture
• Bracelet: Integrated 18k white gold
• Clasp: Integrated white gold clasp
• Crystal: Acrylic
• Water Resistance: Not guaranteed due to age

Condition Report

• Dial: Original black dial with highly distinctive painted maze texture. Excellent preservation with strong contrast and no loss of pattern.
• Case: 18k white gold case in excellent vintage condition with light wear consistent with careful use. Edges remain well defined.
• Bracelet: Original integrated white gold bracelet in strong condition with smooth articulation.
• Clasp: Original clasp functioning correctly.
• Crystal: Acrylic crystal clean with only faint hairlines visible under strong light.
• Movement: Manual wind Calibre 2090 running smoothly and keeping steady time.

Historical Significance

The Ref. 4032BC represents Audemars Piguet during one of its most experimental design phases. In the 1970s, AP was exploring bold case shapes, artistic dials, and integrated precious-metal bracelets well beyond conservative dress watch norms. Pieces like this were produced in very small numbers for clients who wanted something unmistakably different. Today, they stand among the rarest and most intellectually interesting vintage AP designs, far removed from mass recognition and firmly in collector territory.