Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: XII Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1997
    Reference No: 25820SP
    Movement No: 425'049
    Case No: D86'978 and 9/25
    Model Name: Royal Oak
    Material: Platinum and stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2120, 38 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum and stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum and stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Authenticity confirming the present watch is number 9 of 25 units made and Extract from the Registers confirming the present watch was produced on September 11, 1997, additional links and presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Royal Oak is a timepiece that set the benchmark on many fronts. Not only was it the very first luxury sports watch when launched in 1972, it was also the very first luxury sports watch featuring a complication. In 1982, exactly 10 years after its launch, the Royal Oak was presented with a perpetual calendar.

    Interestingly, the birth of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar is the result of research undertaken by three brilliant watchmakers wishing to create an extra slim perpetual calendar mechanism built upon caliber 2120, which cased other iconic models such as Patek Philippe's Nautilus, Vacheron Constantin's 222 and the Royal Oak itself.

    Caliber 2120/2800 was born in 1977 making it the world’s slimmest perpetual calendar movement with a thickness of only 3.95mm. The subsequent years were used in finalizing the development and finally in 1982 the Royal Oak took the horological world by surprise, once again, with the launch of a model with perpetual calendar.

    The present watch cased in platinum and stainless steel is a limited edition of only 25 examples displaying a beautiful "tuscan" blue dial, which Audemars Piguet is best known for. The fine and delicate ridges on the dial catch the light perfectly, and can change in tone pending on the angle. Moreover, it is accompanied by its original certificate stating it is number 9 of only 25 examples ever made.

  • Artist Biography

    Audemars Piguet

    Swiss • 1881

    A specialist in the manufacture of complications since it was established in 1881, Audemars Piguet never ceases to impress with a rich history of creating bold, even audacious, timepieces underpinned by traditional watchmaking at its finest. This Le Brassus-based Swiss manufacturer is one of only two major manufacturers still owned by the founding family. Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches. The brand is devoted to preserving the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, showcased at their superb museum in Le Brassus.

    Today, the brand is best known for its Royal Oak models, a revolutionary luxury sports watch launched in 1972. Other key models include early minute repeating wristwatches, vintage chronograph wristwatches, such as the oversized reference 5020, perpetual calendar watches and the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced in 1993.

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9

Ref. 25820SP
A rare and attractive platinum and stainless steel limited edition perpetual calendar wristwatch with "tuscan" dial, bracelet, certificate of origin and presentation box, number 9 of a 25 pieces limited edition

1997
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 120,000 
€55,600-111,000
$65,400-131,000

Sold for CHF173,250

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XII

Geneva Auction 6 - 7 November 2020