Short answer
The watch is the Audemars Piguet Edward Piguet, a dress line named after Edward Auguste Piguet, who founded Audemars Piguet in 1875 with Jules Louis Audemars. Most references use rectangular or tonneau cases in steel, rose gold, yellow gold, or white gold. Audemars Piguet no longer lists the line in its current catalog. Fakes exist because the line is less famous than the Royal Oak, so buyers have fewer reference photos to compare against.
Why the spelling in the search matters
Replica listings write "edward piguet" in titles to slip past brand filters on marketplaces. The correct name is Edward Piguet. A title that misspells Audemars Piguet is a replica listing in most cases.
Case and caseback checks
- Caseback: reference number, serial number, "Audemars Piguet", and "Swiss Made". Genuine engraving cuts deep and clean. Fake engraving looks shallow, wide, or uneven.
- Gold hallmarks: 18k cases carry a Swiss precious metal hallmark and a maker's mark. Gold plate shows no hallmark, or a stamped fake one.
- Crystal: the line used sapphire. Sapphire does not scratch under a steel point. Acrylic and most mineral glass do.
- Dial: applied or printed AP monogram, correct serif font, sharp printing. Chronograph subdials on fakes sit at the wrong spacing because the base is a stock module.
- Crown: signed "AP". Fake crowns sit proud of the case or turn with grit.
- Weight: a solid gold case weighs more than a plated one. Compare against a known reference before you trust the metal.
Movement checks
Audemars Piguet finished movements in this line with Geneva stripes, perlage, and engraved bridges and rotor. Fakes use stock Swiss or Asian ebauches with no hand finishing, plastic parts, and unbranded rotors. A watchmaker with a timegrapher measures rate and amplitude in minutes. A genuine movement beats at a steady 21,600 or 28,800 vibrations per hour, and the reading holds in all positions.
Paperwork and archives
Ask for the certificate of origin, the box, and service records. Audemars Piguet keeps its production archives in Le Brassus and issues an Extract from the Archives for a fee. The extract lists the reference, case material, and delivery date. A seller who blocks a watchmaker from opening the caseback or from a serial check against brand records is a risk.
Auction prices
Sale results for the Edward Piguet line vary by metal, size, and complication. Sotheby's and Christie's list sold lots with prices for each reference. Compare the asking price against three sold lots of the same reference. A price far below the sold range signals a replica, a redial, or a stolen watch.
Legal position in the US
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2320, with a maximum of 10 years for a first offense. US Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit watch shipments at ports of entry. A trademark owner can sue sellers for damages and profits under 15 U.S.C. § 1117.
What is not public
Audemars Piguet does not publish production totals for the Edward Piguet line. Numbers made per reference are unknown outside the brand. Production figures quoted by sellers are not verifiable.