Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 2001
    Reference No: 25721BA
    Movement No: 495'582
    Case No: E31617 and 0151
    Model Name: Royal Oak Offshore
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2226, 54 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Extrait de Registre confirming production of the present watch on June 08, 2001 and travel box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Royal Oak was already disruptive in 1972 when it was launched but in the early 1990s, Audemars Piguet tasked its in-house designer Emmanuel Gueit to push the boundaries and reinvent the classic Royal Oak and infuse it with new life and power. The result was presented in 1993: the Royal Oak Offshore, a model whose design and attitude were so rambunctious that it caused controversy even within Audemars Piguet.

    The Royal Oak Offshore was shortly thereafter nicknamed “The Beast” due to what was, at the time, its astonishing 42mm case size. The Offshore was revolutionary, and arguably, it established the trend for large-sized watches, becoming the norm in today’s modern production watches.

    By keeping the signature case/bezel shape and tapisserie dial, Gueit nevertheless managed to create a timepiece that would inspire sports watches that would follow.

    The present example of "The Beast" is without a doubt a masterpiece of lavish suaveness. Its yellow gold case and bracelet make up for a potent formulae merged with the royal blue dial. Exclusive, opulent and brazen the present Offshore bears the unapologetic philosophy in which the original Beast was designed. Furthermore, this particular example is preserved in particularly crisp and impressive condition, with sharp hallmarks and a bracelet that displays hardly any signs of aging.

  • Artist Biography

    Audemars Piguet

    Swiss • 1881

    A 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.

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Ref. 25721BA
A highly rare, impressively well-preserved and attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with blue dial, date and bracelet

2001
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 80,000 
€39,300-78,600
$42,500-85,000

Sold for CHF81,900

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022