Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 2004 Reference No: 25920BA/O/0789BA/01 Movement No: 452'911 Case No: E-20185, 31 Model Name: Royal Oak Quantieme Annuel Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2224/2814 Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow Audemars Piguet concealed deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: With Audemars Piguet guarantee stamped by Pisa and dated February 14, 2004, product literature, fitted wooden presentation box and outer packaging
Catalogue Essay
In 1996 Patek Philippe introduced for the first time ever an annual calendar wristwatch, but it did not take long for Audemars Piguet to realize the potential of the complication and a few month later development of their own annual calendar started. The goal of the brand was to provide the useful complication with minimum modification of the Royal Oak core style, housed in the mid-size 14790 case.
The solution they opted for features a central hand for the date and a subsidiary dial for the month, powered by a JlC module. Reference 25920 was released in 1998 in steel and yellow gold, and discontinued in the early 2000. It is in fact one of the rarest Audemars Piguet models, hardly ever seen at auction.
The present example is offered in excellent condition and complete of all the original accessories. The guaranteedate February 2004 indicates this is one of the latest specimens produced.
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.