Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: Circa 2019
    Reference No: 26579CE
    Case No: LG3416L
    Model Name: Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Black Ceramic
    Material: Ceramic
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 5134, 38 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Ceramic Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Ceramic Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 41mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Warranty card, product literature, winding box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 2017, Audemars Piguet once again took the horological world by surprise by presenting the perpetual calendar Royal Oak in full ceramic livery. While it was not the first time ceramic was used in watchmaking, it marked the first time a high horology watch brand housed a sports watch in a full ceramic case and bracelet (a material that Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe do not use for the Overseas or Nautilus respectively).

    Ceramic is an almost scratch proof material but very difficult to machine and manipulate. According to Audemars Piguet, over 600 hours of research were necessary to develop the case and bracelet, and where it takes about six hours to machine, polish, hand-finish, and assemble a steel bracelet for a steel Royal Oak, the same procedure requires over thirty hours for the ceramic version.

    The dashing dark looks of the watch should not deter from its elegance and technical complexity. The slender case houses the automatic caliber 5134 based on the iconic calibre 2120 as found in the original 1972 Royal Oak. Other than the traditional calendar functions, the present Royal Oak has a 52-week indicator as well as a gorgeous moonphase display with a photorealistic moon on an aventurine background for the stars.

    Preserved in excellent and barely worn condition, it is furthermore accompanied by all its original accessories.

  • 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. 26579CE
An attractive and extremely sought-after black ceramic perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, week indication, leap year indication, bracelet, warranty and presentation box

Circa 2019
41mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF120,000 - 240,000 
€125,000-249,000
$132,000-264,000

Sold for CHF222,250

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

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The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023