One of Audemars Piguet’s most historic timepieces just sold for a record sum at auction—and the buyer will come as no surprise. The most-complicated AP pocket watch still in private hands hammered down for $7.7 million at Sotheby’s New York yesterday, making it the most expensive timepiece from the brand ever to go under the gavel. And, during a 10-minute bidding skirmish between four collectors, Audemars Piguet itself ended up reclaiming its S. Smith & Son Astronomical Watch, nicknamed “Grosse Pièce” (or “Big Piece” in English), as it announced in a press release after the sale. The ultra-rare watch far ... (full story)