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.
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.