Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1994
    Reference No: 25721ST
    Movement No: 369’316
    Case No: D23802, 059
    Model Name: Royal Oak Offshore "The Beast" "No Logo”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2126, 51 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 205mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet double deployant clasp stamped "S10"
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    With a surprise move nearly as disruptive as the “original” one of 1972, at the 1993 Basel Watch Fair, Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak Offshore reference 25721 as a reinvented extension of the brand’s classic Royal Oak. Impressive in its size, the watch designed by Emmanuel Gueit measures a whopping 42mm diameter, stemming its rightful nickname “The Beast”. Radical and contemporary in style, the watch gained popularity amongst the young generation and was famously worn on the wrist of Italy’s beloved athlete and alpine skiing legend, Alberto Tomba. The launch of reference 25721 marked the beginning of over-sized trend for sports watches.

    Exuding a cool and masculine charm, “The Beast” was fitted with an ashen grey tapisserie dial with rugged blue accents. It normally features an engraved caseback featuring the “AP” symbol followed by the “Royal Oak Offshore” designation. The present example, however, is part of the restricted “No Logo” series. The first 100 examples produced feature a “tentative” engraving: the “AP” logo is missing (hence the nickname) together with the “Offshore” designation - leaving only the “Royal Oak” engraving as found on non-Offshore pieces. Another more subtle difference with what is normally found on this reference is that the “Automatic” designation to the caseback, rather than being boldly stamped, in this instance features a much more subtle font.

    Preserved in an overall excellent condition, the present piece boosts the importance of the first Royal Oak Offshore reference with its incredibly rare “No Logo” configuration.

  • 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.

    View More Works

178

Ref. 25721ST
A very early, uncommon and collectible stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with date, "No Logo" case and bracelet, part of a 100-pieces series

1994
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€51,500-103,000
$50,100-100,000

Sold for CHF63,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022