Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 2007 Reference No: 26136ST Movement No: 648'804 Case No: F99564.50/50 Model Name: Royal Oak Tour Auto Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal 2385, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 39mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Extract from the Register, numbered lithography and original customized presentation box. Further accompanied by Audemars Piguet and Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo co-signed Royal Oak 50th Anniversary Attestation.
Catalogue Essay
Presented in 2007, the Tour Auto chronograph was a limited edition of 50 pieces.
The Tour Auto is a competition for historic cars which starts in Paris. It crosses France in five days and is punctuated by timed events on circuits and "specials" on closed sections of roads. The current Tour Auto t reads in the footsteps of events dating back to the first Tour de France Automobile in 1899. It is the oldest motor car race still organized!
On the occasion of the second year of partnership as "Official Timekeeper", Audemars Piguet presented the Royal Oak Tour Auto Chronograph in 2007.
Launched as a limited edition of 50 stainless steel pieces, the present watch takes its inspiration from the car design of the 70s. The perforated leather strap is reminiscent of car upholstery from that era. The white dial, fitted with black counters, evokes the colors of the checkered flag. The whole is reminiscent of the extremely legible dashboards of these racing cars, while the bright red hands reinforce the sporty character of this chronograph.
The box is also extremely creative, it was developed in collaboration with MOTUL, whose 300V oil celebrated its 35th anniversary that year, like the Royal Oak, and represents an authentic 300V oil can. The present Royal Oak Tour Auto is a rare opportunity to own a watch that was only available to the participant of the 2007 race edition and through the Paris AP Boutique and that is presented complete with its special box and a limited edition lithography.
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.
