Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV Geneva Friday, November 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1991
    Reference No: BA25636
    Movement No: 324'262
    Case No: C77658, 091
    Model Name: Royal Oak
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2120/2, 38 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow and white gold Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificat d'Origine et de Garantie booklet stamped by Pamplona retailer "Pedro Bueno Joyero" and dated March 30, 1991, instruction booklet, USB keycard, setting pin, solar-powered winding box with outer packaging, additional presentation box with outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak has since its very beginning continued to convert - at first slowly, and among more than a raised eyebrow, but with increased momentum since the 1990s - more and more enthusiasts to its cause. In recent times, however, the yearly inflow of new adepts has turned into a true tsunami. Following a pattern similar to the one seen with other sports watches (most notably the Rolex Daytona and the Patek Philippe Nautilus) a few years earlier, the watch collecting community collectively took conscience of both the beauty, importance and scarcity of the Royal Oak and its variants. Most notably, perpetual calendar Royal Oak timepieces have soared to the top of the collector’s wish-lists, and for good reasons. They combine one of the ultimate horological complications with one of the most iconic designs. They are intimately tied with the Royal Oak line, having been realized since the late 1980s (for a comparison, the first perpetual calendar Nautilus appeared on the market in 2018) - which, coincidentally, makes the Royal Oak the first sports watch featuring a perpetual calendar to ever be offered by any brand. Their aesthetic appeal is undeniable as is their scarcity.

    While any perpetual calendar Royal Oak is a dream for any collector, a system of tiers has emerged within the community. Sitting at the top of the pyramid, you find the earliest models, distinguishable by the lack of leap year indication and by the "old school", serif-less (compared to the later one) Royal Oak signature. Another category which is highly sought-after includes skeletonized pieces.

    It is thus apparent how this very early 1991 timepiece combines the allure of two of the most sought-after traits a collector can find in a Royal Oak: a perpetual calendar complication in its earliest execution, and a superbly well-executed (note the champagne hue of the scales, harmonizing with the yellow gold case) skeletonized dial.

    When one realizes that not only this incredibly attractive watch is in superb condition, but it furthermore comes accompanied by its full set of accessories - including its original solar powered winding box in working order - she or he will realize how difficult, if even possible, it would be to come again across a similar opportunity.

  • 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. BA25636
An early, massive and very impressive yellow gold perpetual calendar automatic wristwatch with moonphases, skeletonized dial, bracelet, certificate and boxes

1991
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 100,000 
€65,200-93,200
$75,600-108,000

Sold for CHF315,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East Director
AGhotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV

Geneva Auction 5 & 7 November 2021