Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 2004 Reference No: 25860ST Movement No: 529'909 Case No: E-87882, No. 5827 Model Name: Royal Oak Chronograph "Kasparov" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2385, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 39mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet service box and drawing of the present watch by Octavio Garcia.
Catalogue Essay
The reference 25860 was launched in 1997 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak. Faithful to the original dimensions of the "Jumbo" with a diameter of 39mm, Audemars Piguet successfully managed to house one of the thinnest self-winding chronograph calibres ever made of its time, the calibre 2385. Reference 25860 was in production until 2012. Aesthetically, the Royal Oak Chronograph reference 25860ST shares the full genetic codes of the original Royal Oak: an octagonal case with a blue tapisserie dial with the addition of white hour markers and hands, and two chronograph pushers, providing the watch with a sportier look while retaining an incredibly elegant and suave presence on the wrist.
Highly appreciated by the legendary chess player Garry Kasparov (an Audemars Piguet ambassador since 1996) who would repeatedly be pictured with a Royal Oak Chronograph on his wrist during professional games, the collectors’ community would eventually take over his name and go so far as to nickname the watch after him.
The present example not only impresses thanks to its good looks but also thanks to its unique provenance. Coming directly from the collection of Octavio Garcia, the artistic director of Audemars Piguet between 2002 and 2015, the watch will be offered to the market for the very first time. Truth be told, Garcia loved its design so much that he wore his "Kasparov" on a daily basis.
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.