Audemars Piguet - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: Circa 2022
    Reference No: 26735ST.OO.1320ST.01
    Movement No: BM9254
    Case No: MC4358T
    Model Name: Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2972, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 41mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet international guarantee, Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin confirming that the present timepiece was produced as part of the Royal Oak’s 50th Anniversary stamped Paris Rue Royale and dated 10th June 2022, additional links, instructions manual, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon with a skeletonised dial was launched earlier this year along with its entourage of Royal Oak novelties made to commemorate the model’s 50th anniversary. For those keeping track, the first Royal Oak with a flying tourbillon was unveiled in 2020. But in favour of the tapisserie dial collectors are familiar with, the ref. 26735ST is Audemars Piguet’s inaugural onslaught of a fully openworked configuration with such a complication.

    Cometh the hour, cometh the man. The exposed new cal. 2972 on the openworked dial is exactly what horological aficionados have been waiting for, a naked variant of the cal. 2950, well-received upon its debut in 2019’s CODE 11:59. A single glance is all it takes to notice the attention to detail on the harmonised and balanced structure that shapes the movement within. The gear train essentially trickles downwards from the mainspring barrel, sitting underneath the white gold 12 o'clock hour marker, down to the flying tourbillon oscillator at six o'clock. Audemars Piguet attacks skeletonisation in a very traditional fashion. Non-essential materials such as plates and bridges are minimalised without hindering efficiency or functionality, thus encouraging light to descend on the nooks and crannies of its beating heart, typically visible only to the watchmaker assembling the caliber himself. According to the manufacturer, the combination of CNC and EDM erosion machines were used to perfect the extremely intricate details of the three-dimensional architecture that cannot be achieved by hand. To further mark the momentous milestone of this model, a 22K white gold hollowed “50 Years” winding rotor is revealed through the sapphire caseback. The rotor will only be included in watches produced in 2022, after which they will revert back to the ordinary rotor.

    This is a watch tied to the Royal Oak's 50th anniversary, so of course, the model’s lineage is largely at play here as well. Audemars Piguet initially released the world's first automatic tourbillon wristwatch in 1986, and the first tourbillon to join the Royal Oak family was introduced exactly 25 years ago, in 1997. Just two years after that, the skeletonised tourbillon quickly came onto the scene in 1999, and the first flying tourbillon debuted at Audemars Piguet in a Royal Oak Concept in 2018. The flying tourbillon was also featured in collectors’ favourite action figure watch, the daunting Royal Oak Concept Black Panther from 2021, also available in the current auction.

    All things considered, the present Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked, 50th Anniversary edition, is a sublime work of art, encased in a 41mm stainless steel case with strong notes of a traditional Royal Oak. Presented in "like-new" condition and complete with its original accessories, this is an irresistible opportunity to secure the mechanical marvel at hand, designed to impress, even non-watch-believers. All proceeds exceeding the cost for the consignor will be donated to charities supporting access to medical care for families in need and orphanages.

  • 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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861

Ref. 26735ST.OO.1320ST.01
A very fine, attractive and “like-new” stainless steel skeletonised tourbillon wristwatch with warranty and presentation box, made in commemoration of the Royal Oak’s 50th Anniversary

Circa 2022
41mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$960,000 - 1,950,000 
€114,000-232,000
$123,000-250,000

Sold for HK$2,898,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV

28 - 29 November 2022 (Online Registration ends 27 Nov, 2pm HKT)