Audemars Piguet - STYLED. Timeless Watches & How to Wear Them New York Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 2004
    Reference No: 26030IO.OO.D001IN.01
    Case No: F 23757, numbered 31/1000
    Model Name: Royal Oak Offshore Juan Pablo Montoya
    Material: Titanium, carbon inserts
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2226, 54 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 52mm length case, maximum length 220mm
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap, and clasp signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet fitted presentation box, product literature, and original paperwork.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Colombian-born Juan Pablo Montoya entered the world of motorsports at an early age, encouraged by his father who taught him the basics of go-karting. From these beginnings, Montoya began his career in F300 and Formula One testing in 1997, and made his Formula One debut in 2001. He competed at the Formula One level until 2006, where he made the switch to compete in the NASCAR circuit. In 2007, he won the Rolex 24 at the Daytona International Speedway, winning it again in 2008 and 2013. He remains one of only two racecar drivers, alongside Mario Andretti, to achieve victory in Formula One, the Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Daytona. This is just one of numerous accolades that have catapulted him to being named one of the best Formula One drivers of all time.

    Of course, collectors will know very well the close relationship between motorsports and horology, and with its sportier Royal Oak Offshore line, Audemars Piguet sought to add their name to the list of manufactures devoted to creating watches aligned with racing. The Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition Juan Pablo Montoya was first released in 2004 in pink gold, platinum, and titanium. The titanium version was released in a limited series of one thousand. It’s a noteworthy model as it was the first significant departure from the design of the earliest Offshores, with its more aggressively-styled rectangular pushers and use of an exhibition caseback for the first time. Early Offshores can be especially recognized by their smaller, round chronograph pushers coated in a fire-resistant elastomer called "therban" that closely resembles rubber.

    With its “grand tapisserie” dial and motorsports-inspired case construction, the Royal Oak Offshore Juan Pablo Montoya ushered in a new era for Audemars Piguet’s luxury sports watch category. Most notably, the classic eight screws at the bezel have been replaced with screws resembling the lug nuts of a motor vehicle. The inclusion of a tachymeter scale on the rehaut further harkens to the motorsports inspiration. The "grand tapisserie" dial, seen on many Royal Oak Offshores, has an added flair with the subtle motif of a waving racing flag. Combining brash masculinity and sublime mechanics, carbon fiber inserts to the case and bezel belie the beautifully finished automatic caliber 2226, a modified Jaeger-LeCoultre ébauche.

    The present lot is presented in “new old stock” condition, with no signs of wear, and complete with its original box, paperwork, and guarantee – a true time capsule piece for the connoisseur.

  • 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.

    View More Works

16

Ref. 26030IO.OO.D001IN.01
A rare and well-preserved limited edition titanium chronograph wristwatch with date and tachymeter bezel, numbered 31 of 1000, accompanied with boxes, papers, and original guarantee

2004
52mm length case, maximum length 220mm
Case, dial, movement, strap, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$18,000 - 36,000 
CHF17,900-35,900
€15,600-31,300
HK$141,000-282,000

Sold for $22,500

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

STYLED. Timeless Watches & How to Wear Them

New York Auction 5 December 2018