Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
Year: 2007
Reference No: 26081
Movement No: 653'739
Case No: G00259
Model Name: Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon
Material: Titanium and alacrite
Calibre: Manual, cal. 2896, 37 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Kevlar Audemars Piguet strap
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
Dimensions: 44mm Diameter
Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet warranty dated 20th February 2007, operating manual, additional kevlar strap, futuristic fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The Royal Oak was launched in 1972 and immediately became one of the flagship models of the company. About twenty years later - in 1993 - Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak Offshore; the model was intended to appeal to a new, younger, more casual audience and was met with as much success as its parent 5204. Following in the suit of these innovations, in 2002 the brand introduced the revolutionary Royal Oak Concept Watch, or simply CW1 (Concept Watch 1), for the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak as a showcase of what they believed the Royal Oak could look like in the future.

Built to demonstrate the brand’s technical prowess and master craftsmanship - as well as illustrate cutting edge technical advances - it featured a case made of Alacrite 602, an innovative alloy of cobalt, chrome, tungsten, silicon and iron, that was never again used in any other watch. The research on innovative material does not end here: the bezel is in titanium, the movement plate, bridges and tourbillon cage support are made out of forged carbon, and the fabric strap is realized with kevlar fibers. The robust, angular case’s design roots are clearly the same as the original Royal Oak from 1972, reinterpreted with a massive 44mm diameter, a sharply faceted case design and two sapphire crystals so the movement is fully exposed.

The movement by famed complication specialist Renaud et Papi features a three-arm tourbillon carriage. At the 12 o’clock position, Audemars Piguet added a “dynamographe” to represent the quality of torque on the mainspring, and to its right is a unique linear power reserve indicator spanning the length of the dial from 1 to 5 o’clock. At 6 o’clock, a function selection indicator showing the current function of the crown: winding (R-remontoir), neutral (N-neutre) and setting (H-heures).

While the original serie of these masterpiece consisted in 150 watches - an already extraordinarily limited output - 14 unique examples are believe to have been made “after-series” for the most important clients of the brand. Immediately recognisable by the design of the tourbillon bridge visible on the dial (serpentine on the serial version, straight on the piece unique), each one of these pieces has a different engraving to the movement plate. The present watch features a most unusual and mysterious cuneiform decor (defined as “Motif Mésopotamique” - Mesopotamian motif - by the Archives).

Offered in “as-new” condition and complete with its original certificate and presentation box, it was sold by the New York Audemars Piguet Boutique.
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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