874
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 25960BA.O.1185BA.01
Royal Oak Chronograph ‘Kasparov’
An attractive and rare yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with date, bracelet, warranty and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Preserved in superb condition
- Accompanied with its warranty and box
There’s something almost magnetic about the 25960BA. While the true “Kasparov” name belongs to the steel 25860ST that chess champion Garry Kasparov famously wore as an Audemars Piguet ambassador, this yellow-gold sibling carries the same pioneering spirit in a richer, heftier form. Crafted entirely in 18K yellow gold and measuring a perfectly proportioned 39mm, the present example remains in superb condition retaining its original factory satin-brushed surfaces and sharply defined bevels. It stands as a compelling expression of Audemars Piguet’s mastery at the intersection of sport and luxury, a continual reinvention of the brand’s most iconic creation from the generation first introduced in 1997.
The watch occupies a rare middle ground between sports and dress watch. Accented by luminous white markers and hands, the watch exudes a bold, sporty character that heightens the visual impact of the classic petite tapisserie motif. The recessed registers and harmonious layout enhance legibility while underscoring the model’s graphic precision. Sharing the same Caliber 2385 and distinctive 4:30 date as its steel counterpart, the screw-down pushers and hexagonal details remain true to the original Royal Oak language—never shouting, simply existing with quiet confidence.
Offered with its complement of original accessories, this 25960BA feels like a time capsule from an era before the Royal Oak Chronograph became a cornerstone of the brand’s modern identity. Where the steel Kasparov belonged to the intensity of the board, the yellow gold version elevates that same DNA for the hall of fame.
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.