In 1997, Audemars Piguet released a series of limited edition timepieces to celebrate the important handover of Hong Kong to China after being colonized by the British for 156 years and was re-established as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. To mark this important milestone, the ref. 25852 triple calendar was released with 97 examples in stainless steel with a blue dial and 19 examples in pink gold also with a blue dial.

While the Royal Oak Offshore Triple Calendar timepieces were first released in 1996, the commemorative editions featured something spectacular and unique, a Chinese calendar roulette calendar. Furthermore, each of these examples featured a caseback inscribed with the important date of the Handover as well as its individual limited edition numbers.

Consigned by the same collector as the pink gold edition (see previous lot), the present stainless steel example is also numbered 18. For collectors who are looking for something special but not too flashy to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak as well as the 25th anniversary of the handover, this is the one to acquire or for collectors who is keen for the perfect pair, now is the chance to get both with the same limited edition number 18.