Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1997 Reference No: 25829SP Movement No: 425'301 Case No: D-86945 and 1/25 Model Name: Royal Oak Material: Stainless steel and platinum Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2120/4, 38 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet stamped "L" to the endlinks, max length 175mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel 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 undated and stamped by Italian retailer "Barozzi Ennio", Certificat d'Authenticité et d'Exclusivité, service invoice dated November 22, 2019, instruction booklet, large winding box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The Royal Oak is a timepiece that set the benchmark on many fronts. Not only was it the very first steel luxury sports watch when launched in 1972, it was also the very first luxury sports watch featuring a complication.
In 1982, exactly 10 years after its launch, the Royal Oak was presented with a perpetual calendar, not only a rare complication at the time as very few brands were still producing them, but the audacity of housing this delicate complication in a steel sports watch was mind boggling. Soon after, Audemars Piguet merged its technical know how to its artistic dexterity by presenting a perpetual calendar Royal Oak with an open work movement, once again demonstrating the brand’s ability to think out of the box.
It was not until the mid 1990s that the caliber 2120 housed within the Royal Oak perpetual calendar models was upgraded to feature a leap year indicator placed within the months subdial at 12 o’clock.
Caliber 2120 was born in 1977 making it the world’s slimmest perpetual calendar movement with a thickness of only 3.95mm.
Skeletonized 25829s are immensely charismatic thanks to the potent blend of the iconic Royal Oak case and delicate subtlety of an openwork movement allowing a unique view into the perpetual calendar inner workings.
Reference 25829 was executed in a number of different metals, including yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel. All these versions feature a brushed bezel. The present watch however is the exception to the rule: reference 25829 SP (Steel Platinum) features in fact a polished platinum bezel. A detail that might seem trivial on paper, but in the metal it dramatically transfigures the overall looks of the timepiece.
This is an extremely scarce iteration of the model, with only 25 pieces made, this being the very first one. It was released in December 1997 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Royal Oak collection. Furthermore, it is offered complete of all its original accessories. If that was not enough, the original owner is offering it for sale. Still want more? Fine: the movement of the watch is in perfect working condition as it was service by Audemars Piguet in 2019.
This piece truly is a compendium of what high-end collectors look for and it represents a remarkable and unique opportunity to own the first 25829SP ever made, fresh to the market, in excellent condition and full set.
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.
Ref. 25829SP A superbly attractive, extremely rare and offered by the original owner stainless steel and platinum perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, skeletonized dial, bracelet, guarantee and box, number 1 of a 25 pieces limited edition made for the 25th Anniversary of the Royal Oak
1997 39mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
