This “Grande Complication” is without a doubt one of the most accomplished achievements of Audemars Piguet in the realm of Royal Oak timepieces. Uniting in the same sporty Royal Oak case three refined complications - a minute repeater, a perpetual calendar and a chronograph, split-second nonetheless - the watch can be considered a true "summa" of Audemars Piguet's technical proficiency as well as the ultimate paragon of their definition of sport luxury.

Since their earliest beginning - which occur on pocket watches for obvious space reasons - Grande Complication timepieces have been produced - usually as a Pièce Unique or extremely limited series - by the most technically proficient brands to prove their horological savoir-faire. A Grande Complication piece usually includes a chiming, a calendar and a timing complication: given the astounding cost and difficulty involved with such movements, they were either special commission orders or the equivalent of what is today called a "marketing stunt".

A number of different factors - such as the advancements of technology, and the 1990s rediscovery of mechanical watchmaking - prompted over time Grande Complication timepieces to start making their appearance on the wrist of collectors rather than in their pocket. Still, the challenges and costs involved with the realization of such watches mean that their rarity is paramount even in modern times.

While creating a Grande Complication piece is a daunting challenge in any case, the genius and folly of this instance - which, from a certain point of view, represents the ultimate elevation of the concept of luxury sport horology introduced in 1972 - is to incorporate such an elevated movement in a stainless steel sport watch. Beyond being conceptually groundbreaking, such a project involves remarkable technical challenges. A scholarly treaty could be written about the modifications to the original Royal Oak design required to make it viable for such a complicated calibre. This concept would have been beyond visionary only a few decades ago and even in 2012, when this watch was made, it was an expression of remarkable bravery on part of the company, considering that the explosion of the sports watch market was still beyond the horizon.

As mentioned, Grande Complication timepieces are usually made as Pièce Unique or in extremely limited series. As the number 1/1 on the caseback proclaims, this watch falls in the former category. The calibre 2885 giving life to this model is an absolute masterpiece of horology, both for its architecture and for its finish as well. It features an impressive 648 components, hand-finished by a single master watchmaker who needs about a year to complete the task.

The pinnacle of watchmaking prowess, a Grand Complication is a timepiece that very few makers have mastered well enough to ever offer on the market. The present piece is a powerful example of Audemars Piguet’s watchmaking dexterity, the ultimate expression of the ethos of the Royal Oak line, an absolute masterpiece of horological art and a champion of exclusivity.