190
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 26331OR
Royal Oak
A stunning, surprising and extremely uncommon pink gold automatic chronograph wristwatch with date, turqouise dial and bracelet; part of a 25-piece limited edition
Full-Cataloguing
- Automatic, chronograph, date
- Part of a 25-piece limited edition
- Practically unknown version of the reference, the only one with monochrome dial
- Superb condition and full set
Audemars Piguet is well known as one of the most inventive and aesthetically daring high-end watchmaking companies. Their production spans from the beloved Royal Oak, to the latest entry the Code 11.59, to exquisite repeaters and sonnerie pieces from the 1990s and 2000s. Furthermore, the company never shied away from spearheading different aesthetic codes within each of these lines, employing inventive and courageous new materials, color schemes and design solutions - which often later became widely adopted by the whole sector (one example above all being ceramic-cased watches).
The present piece fully exemplifies this ethos. It is a rendition of the well-known Royal Oak chronograph with date and 3 horizontal counters ref. 26331. The model is most often seen in stainless steel with black, blue or white dial, and in pink gold with black, blue or even brown dial.
The color of the three subsidiary dials appears to always be in contrast with the main dial.
And yet, this 2018 25-piece limited edition not only proves itself to be one of the least-known variations - with practically no mention of it anywhere online - but also one of the most impressive. In fact, it appears to be the only iteration of the model to break the “contrasting counters” rule, featuring instead a fully monochromatic - down to the date disc - dial. The hue chosen is an incredibly attractive and bright turquoise, akin to what seen on perpetual calendar pieces launched in 2021.
Offered in virtually untouched condition and full set, this is without a doubt one of the most attractive and collectible chronograph pieces made by the brand in modern times.
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.