Audemars Piguet does not list a reference 205 in its published catalogs. Listings that use "AP ref 205" are counterfeits or mislabeled watches. The code does not match the brand's numbering system, and no auction archive shows it as a real model.
What Audemars Piguet reference numbers look like
Audemars Piguet uses four-digit and five-digit codes. Royal Oak examples include 5402ST, 14790ST, 15202ST and 26240OR. Letters after the digits name the case material. ST means stainless steel. OR means gold. BA means bicolor. Vintage dress watches from the 1940s and 1950s carry four-digit numbers with a separate case serial. A three-digit code with no material suffix sits outside that pattern.
Why "Ref 205" shows up in search results
Replica sellers invent short codes. A short number is easy to remember and easy to repeat across many listings. One code can label several different counterfeit watches, so the listing text stays generic. Search engines index the phrase, and buyers assume it names a model. It does not.
How to check a reference number
- Caseback: the reference number is engraved on the outer caseback. The case serial sits on the inner caseback or the movement bridge.
- Movement: Audemars Piguet calibers carry their own number. Photograph it and compare against service records.
- Extract from the Archives: Audemars Piguet verifies a case number for vintage pieces and issues a document with the original reference and sale date. A fee applies.
- Auction archives: Christie's, Sotheby's and Phillips publish past lots with reference numbers, case photos and condition reports.
Red flags in a listing
Stock photos instead of the actual watch. No photo of the caseback or the movement. A price far under market for the stated model. A seller who cannot name the caliber. Typed "ref 205" with no material suffix. Paperwork that shows a serial number different from the watch in the photos.
Legal and practical facts
Counterfeit watches infringe Audemars Piguet trademarks. U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize shipments at the border. A counterfeit has no manufacturer warranty and no service path at Audemars Piguet. Resale value is close to zero. Several countries treat import of counterfeit goods as a criminal offense.
Bottom line
There is no documented Audemars Piguet reference 205. Treat the term as a counterfeit listing marker, not a model name. Confirm the case number with Audemars Piguet or an auction archive before any payment.