AUDEMARS PIGUET | COBRA, REF.14438BA, A RARE YELLOW GOLD BRACELET WATCH WITH DIAMOND-SET INDEXES, DATE AND MESH BRACELET STAMPED "GRG" FOR ROLAND-GILBERT GASCHEN, CIRCA 1993

Footnotes

In the pantheon of haute horlogerie, few timepieces match the elegance of the Audemars Piguet Cobra reference 14438BA, a rare 1993 masterpiece that embodies the brand's audacious fusion of technical mastery and artistic creativity, with an iconic look that was designed by the famed Gérald Genta a year before the Royal Oak. Crafted from luminous 18k yellow gold, this 34.5mm tonneau-shaped case flows seamlessly into an integrated mesh bracelet, evoking the sinuous scales of its namesake serpent. The bracelet, an instantly recognizable creation by Swiss artisan Roland Gilbert Gaschen, weaves a hypnotic pattern of matte beads reminiscent of knitted wool, adjustable to 185mm for a bespoke embrace, secured by a signed deployant clasp bearing the GRG hallmark.

At its heart beats the automatic Caliber 2125, a 33-jewel workhorse delivering reliable timekeeping with hours, minutes, and a crisp date window. The champagne dial shimmers under baton hands and diamond-set indexes, offering legibility with understated luxury. In addition, the timepiece exudes a tactile warmth and sculptural depth: with case flanks that mirror the bracelet's weave, creating a monolithic presence on the wrist that defies its modest footprint. Furthermore, the current example includes a digital extract from archives, thus confirming its provenance with the manufacturer. As with all Cobra timepieces, the production volume for these timepieces was always limited, making excellent condition examples like this even more rare in the market. For collectors and lovers of neo vintage timepieces the reference 14438BA offers a luxurious and bold example of Audemars Piguet watchmaking prowess at the time, combining Gérald Genta's celebrated 1970s design in a more modern and reliable package.