Reference 25657 was launched at the beginning of the 1980s, one of the very first “modern” perpetual calendars made by the brand. It was used as a canvas for Audemars Piguet to experiment upon, which gave rise to some of the most audacious and inspired variations. Well-known are the so-called “Quadrifoglio” (four-leaf clover) versions as are those with Tuscan and skeletonized dials.

The present variation, however, arguably transcends them in terms of design - and unarguably in terms of rarity. One of the most difficult to find executions, the present piece features a highly complex silver/gilt guilloché dial which can be considered in a category of its own. Guilloché dials in Audemars Piguet perpetual calendar dress watches (and actually in the brand's dress watches in general) is extremely rare (possibly because their line of sports watches features a textured tapisserie dial).

The present watch it is truly a masterpiece of design. Remarkable, despite the amount of different textures and colours, the dial never appears overly encumbered, rather it feels joyously flamboyant but still very elegant - without a doubt the perfect symmetry and sophisticated Breguet numerals play a part in this outcome.

Offered in superbly well preserved condition, the present piece is an astoundingly rare opportunity for the connoisseur of exotic and complicated timepieces.