Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1997 Reference No: 25854OR Movement No: 449'953 Case No: D92191 further stamped 0008 Model Name: Royal Oak Offshore Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2226, 54 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 185mm max Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Audemars Piguet double deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet winding box, Warranty and Extract from the Archives.
Catalogue Essay
In 1992, 20 years after the original Royal Oak was launched, Audemars Piguet presented the Offshore, a Royal Oak on testosterone designed by Emmanuel Gueit and aimed to a younger clientele.
The new Offshore featured a chronograph and calendar mechanism, along with a prominent rubber gasket sandwiched between the bezel and case, and therban – a type of rubber - coated chronograph pushers and screw down crown. These elements enhanced the nautical theme of the Royal Oak model and over the ensuing years it has often been associated with sailing events.
The present watch is a very rare and extremely impressive iteration of that famed design. Featuring a prestigious perpetual calendar and moon phase indication in addition to a chronograph function, this version of reference 25854 hardly ever seen pink gold - a true statement of lavishness in itself.
Made in 1997, it furthermore represents the first series of the model, distinguished by a different dial design featuring double metal rimming to the subsidiary counters and different graphics (most notably, first series examples feature a radial disposition of the day of the month in the subdial at 12 o’ clock).
This impressive and luxurious Offshore is not only in superb condition but also comes with its winding box, guarantee and Extract from the Archives.
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.
