Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1994 Reference No: 25657BA Movement No: 373'914 Case No: D7708 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal 2120/4, 38 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet pin buckle Dimensions: 36.5mm Width Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Extrait de Registre confirming production of the present watch on Feb 21, 1994
Catalogue Essay
Reference 25657 was launched at the beginning of the 1980s, one of the very first “modern” perpetual calendars made by the brand. It was used as a canvas for Audemars Piguet to experiment upon, which gave rise to some of the most audacious and inspired variations. Well-known are the so-called “Quadrifoglio” (four-leaf clover) versions as are those with Tuscan and skeletonized dials.
The present variation, however, arguably transcends them in terms of design - and unarguably in terms of rarity. One of the most difficult to find executions, the present piece features a highly complex silver/gilt guilloché dial which can be considered in a category of its own. Guilloché dials in Audemars Piguet perpetual calendar dress watches (and actually in the brand's dress watches in general) is extremely rare (possibly because their line of sports watches features a textured tapisserie dial).
The present watch it is truly a masterpiece of design. Remarkable, despite the amount of different textures and colours, the dial never appears overly encumbered, rather it feels joyously flamboyant but still very elegant - without a doubt the perfect symmetry and sophisticated Breguet numerals play a part in this outcome.
Offered in superbly well preserved condition, the present piece is an astoundingly rare opportunity for the connoisseur of exotic and complicated timepieces.
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. 25657BA An extremely rare, whimsical and highly collectible perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, two-tone guilloché dial and Breguet numerals
1994 36.5mm Width Case, dial, movement and buckle signed