With the introduction of the Quantieme Perpetuel Automatique in 1978, the series features the debut of the world’s thinnest self-winding perpetual calendar for the first time. Mechanically impressive, the possibilities were endless when it came to design, materials and craftsmanship, the Le Brassus-based manufacture certainly did not shy when it came to experimentation, offering collectors with a wide array of choices to cater towards the vibrant trend of the era. Amidst the heights of the quartz crisis, the creation of the cal. 2120/2800 was quite frantically unheard of during a time when most were shifting their resources into quartz technology.

The Quantieme Perpetuel Automatique ref. 25549 (also known as 5549) was in production from 1977 until 1991 with an average of 12 pieces made per year. According to Audemars Piguet, approximately 156 yellow gold and 19 white gold examples left their workbenches within that period of time. While scarce amount of the reference are out there in the wild, only two examples in platinum including the present example with bracelet are known, making the present timepiece one of the rarest variant amongst all.

Cased within the double stepped bezel, the reference is fitted with a simplistic white dial that displays its wealth of information with incredible legibility. Clean and understated with the tone of platinum, the integrated platinum mesh bracelet adds an extra flair to the timepiece. Preserved in excellent condition and accompanied with its Audemars Piguet Extract from the Archives confirming the register date from 1987, the timepiece was further sold in Germany at the time. With the rising interest in neo-vintage timepiece by Audemars Piguet in recent years, this numbered 35 platinum Quantieme Perpetuel Automatique ref. 25549 will surely garner the attention of aficionados.