Taken from a Audemars Piguet brochure published in 1986:

‘The Bamboo is a watch of a class of its own. Unlike any other, yet instantly recognisable as an Audemars Piguet.

Resulting from the challenge to unite supreme elegance with today's taste for practicality, the Bamboo is extra-thin, yet fully water-resistant, elegant, yet easy to wear. A watch of distinction.

The exclusive hand-crafted case is perfectly integrated with the fine gold stems of the delicate bracelet, assembled and adjusted with infinite care by the master-watchmakers at Audemars Piguet.

It is gently pearl-sheened and polished three times over. First burnished with diamond paste, then fine-polished with elderberry lustre and finally with a soft chamois leather. No effort is spared in the creation of this masterpiece of harmony and grace.

Like the exotic orchid, the Bamboo derives its essence from perfect balance of flair and dedication. Day and night-time temperatures, nourishing barks and acidity of rainwater, are precisely measured to yield a treasured prize: the brilliant blossoming of the rarest of flowers.

The craftsmen at Audemars Piguet can easily identify with that moment of exquisite pleasure when the ideals and painstaking labour of months become reality before their eyes.

And, like a certain style, that moment has no price.’

The rise in popularity for the Audemars Piguet Bamboo among collectors hasn’t been anything short as deserved. It was an exclusive collection made from the early 1980’s to late 1990’s which was slept on compared to more commonly seen models in AP’s back catalogue. The exceptional quality and style is instantly recognisable with the slim octagonal case, fun dials variants and delicate 18ct gold cylindrical bamboo links that sit perfectly on the wrist. The exceptional quality in craftsmanship has made the AP bamboo a poster boy in the rise of luxury and jewellery style vintage watches.

The Audemars Piguet ‘Bamboo’ range comes in three sizes: 27mm, 22mm & 20mm and the slim case design offers more options of movements in the 27mm case sizing:

Automatic cal. 2130 with date function (27mm models)

Manual wind cal. 2080 or cal. 2003 (27mm models)

Quartz cal. 2508 (27mm, 22mm & 20mm models)

Movements & Cases:

The ‘Bamboo’ range was only made in 18ct gold. Metal reference codes:

BA = 18ct Yellow Gold

BC = 18ct White Gold

CA = 18ct White & Yellow Gold

Metals:

The earlier bracelets featured no removable links with screws but were made in such a way that a goldsmith could remove and put back if needed. However, misinformation led to people ‘cutting’ them down instead of drilling the pin out inside to take links away. This was due to inexperienced or lazy goldsmiths resulting in hack jobs, scrapped and wasted links. A full size bracelet should measure 20cm and as standard come with a micro adjustment clasp, but it seems there was an upgrade option for a deployant clasp.

Bracelets:

The Bamboo was in production from the early 80’s to late 90’s and was a fight back against the quartz crisis. AP wanted to show off their talented artisans and jewellers through high quality design. On the back of the case you will see a letter of B, C or D before the numbers. This depicts the rough years of the production of the watch:

B serial 1975-1990

C serial 1984-1995

D serial 1991-2000

I’ve personally seen bamboo with all three different letter codes but mostly ‘C’ serial.

Serial numbers:

Rare Mens & Ladies AP Bamboo 18ct yellow gold & ceramic links

Credit: www.vintage-view.com

Rare jumbo 33mm automatic moonphase & day/date function. Ref unknown.

Sold at Christies April, 2021