16
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 25902OR.OO.1110OR.01
Royal Oak Tourbillon
An extremely rare, important, and highly attractive pink gold skeletonized tourbillon wristwatch with power reserve, date, bracelet, certificate, and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
• One of only 8 examples believed to have been made in pink gold
• Extremely rare fully skeletonized and hand-engraved tourbillon
• Complete set
In 1997, it had become clear that the Royal Oak, despite misgivings at the outset, had become a true classic of modern watchmaking and a cornerstone of Audemars Piguet’s horological offerings. A 25th anniversary commemorative Royal Oak Automatic Tourbillon was released, bearing the exceptional caliber 2875, and offered in a few selected case metals.
Beyond its absolute rarity, the movement itself is a remarkable feat of engineering. In order to achieve this combination within an ultra-thin design, a number of technical solutions were developed, such as the use of a bumper rotor: the one-minute tourbillon cage would impede the full revolution of a normal rotor. Another interesting feature is the winding crown’s placement on the caseback, which allows the absolute balance and symmetry of the dial to continue to the case as well.
Turn the watch over and through the sapphire caseback, one can see true watchmaking artistry: an elaborately engraved and skeletonized main plate, with floral and leaf scroll motifs and the Audemars Piguet logo cleverly rendered seamlessly into the design. The same design frames the outer portion of the skeletonized dial and is visible through the tourbillon cage.
The only example in rose gold to appear at auction in the past six years, these hardly ever seen Royal Oak Automatic Tourbillons approach the summit of Royal Oak collecting. The present lot is a trophy watch for the connoisseur and is complete with its original guarantee and presentation boxes.
Audemars Piguet
Swiss | 1881A 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.