Commemorative timepieces are always interesting and are often what collectors long for especially when it is released by a firm respected and admired by most. 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. While most examples that has resurfaced in the market since its launch were in stainless steel, pink gold examples of the reference are extremely rare with only 1 example ever sold at auction.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover and moreover it also marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic Royal Oak. With two important commemorations behind this present timepiece, this is the year to acquire this beautiful and rare example of the ref. 25807OR in pink gold.