Audemars Piguet - The Royal Oak 50th Geneva Friday, May 6, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1997
    Reference No: 14790ST
    Movement No: 448'927
    Case No: D88085.2267
    Model Name: Royal Oak "Yves Klein"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal 2125, 33 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Extract from Register, box and outer packaging. Further accompanied by Audemars Piguet and Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo co-signed Royal Oak 50th Anniversary Attestation.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 14790 was in production from 1992 to 2005. Housing the automatic caliber 2125 and 2225 it remained the central model in the Royal Oak collection until it was replaced by reference 15300.
    The model can be divided into 3 series
    1st Series (1992): the dial features a vintage style Audemars Piguet signature with a flat A, "Petite Tapisserie" dial and long indexes
    2nd Series (1993-2000): the Audemars Piguet signature is enlarged and features a pointed top A, "Petite Tapisserie" dial and long indexes
    3rd Series (2000-2005): the Audemars Piguet signature is similar to the 2nd Series but the dial features "Grande Tapisserie" motif and short indexes.

    At the end of the 1990s, Audemars Piguet experimented with different dial colors on the reference 14790. Amongst these experiments, we can find the famous dial nicknamed "Yves Klein" by collectors due to its similarity to the intense and electric color developed by the French artist in the 60's.
    The present reference 14790 is part of the 2nd series produced between 1993 and 2000 that can easily be recognized by the pointed top of the A, the Petite Tapisserie dial and the long indexes.
    Later, Audemars Piguet would offer this reference with a red dial (see lot 12) and yellow (see lot 49) both are examples of the 3rd series with small indexes and Grande Tapisserie.
    Presented in excellent condition and with its box, this superb reference 14790 "Yves Klein" represents a great opportunity not to be missed.

  • 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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81

Ref. 14790ST
A very attractive stainless steel wristwatch with blue sapphire dial, bracelet and box

1997
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 
€19,600-39,300
$21,200-42,500

Sold for CHF94,500

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi

Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

 

Virginie Liatard-Roessli
Head of Sale, Specialist
+41 76 338 91 03
vliatard@phillips.com

The Royal Oak 50th

Geneva Auction 6 May 2022