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 Audemars Piguet ‘Bamboo’ range comes in three sizes: 27mm, 22mm & 20mm. The later two being the dubbed ‘baby’ bamboo. The slim octagonal case & cylindrical bamboo links sit perfectly on the wrist which ever size you choose…

Case sizes:

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 (27mm models)

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

Movements:

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:

Anybody who deals with AP knows that the references are very hard to depict. The references are the same across metal types and bracelet types. After much research here is my best rundown so far:

27mm case, manual cal. 2080, plain or diamond indexes dial: ref. 14644

27mm case, manual cal. 2080, diamond set hands & indexes dial: ref. 14628

27mm case, quartz cal. 2508, diamond set dial, pave set bracelet, but no diamond set bezel: ref. 56208

27mm case, quartz cal. 2508, diamond set dial, bracelet, bezel & gemstone indexes: ref. 56214

27mm case, quartz cal. 2508, plain dial: ref. 56205

27mm case, quartz cal. 2508, diamond bar set dial: ref. 56089

27mm case, quartz cal. 2508, diamond pave or rare stone dials & gemstones indexes: ref. 56206

27mm case, automatic cal. 2130, plain dial: ref. 14485

27mm case, automatic cal. 2130, diamond set dial & gemstone indexes: ref. 14506

20mm/22mm case, quartz cal. 2508, plain or diamond indexes or pave diamond set dial: ref. 66193

20mm/22mm case, quartz cal. 2508, pave diamond dial, links & bezel: ref. 66216

20mm/22mm case, quartz cal. 2508, diamond set dial, pave set bracelet, but no diamond set bezel: ref. 66116

References:

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:

93/93 Master Catalogue:

Extra rare models:

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

Finally if you need more help with a reference, bracelet adjustment or selling an AP bamboo click the button below.

Thanks Roo Doble