When Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak in 1972, nobody immediately understood the disruptive power of a model which was destined to truly change the face of the luxury watch market, and whose effects still reverberates today.

25 years later, however, the impact of the Royal Oak was more than apparent, and Audemars Piguet celebrated this anniversary with an extremely rarefied series of absolutely outstanding timepieces. The Royal Oak Tourbillon Automatique 25th Anniversary was realized in 46 examples overall in pink gold, yellow gold, platinum, stainless steel and one example in pink and white gold made for the Sultan of Brunei; only 25 pieces in steel ever left the factory.

Beyond its absolute rarity, the movement itself was a remarkable feat of engineering, and it remained for a long time the only automatic tourbillon movement to be found in a Royal Oak. In order to achieve this combination, a number of technical solution were developed, such as the use of a bumper rotor: the tourbillon cage would impede the full revolution of a normal rotor. Another interesting feature is the crown placed in the back, which allows the absolute balance and symmetry of the dial to overflow to the case as well.

The present piece not only is offered with its original Certificates, but furthermore is absolutely mint. Considering that only 25 examples in steel were ever made, it is very possible this is the only one of the series to remain in such a pristine and unspoiled condition, still retaining the original factory sticker to the bracelet.