85
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 26331BA
Royal Oak Chronograph
An impressive, highly desirable, and attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee, and presentation box.
- Estimate
- $60,000 - 120,000
$138,600
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Audemars Piguet
- Year
- Circa 2018
- Reference No
- 26331BA
- Case No
- K02242
- Model Name
- Royal Oak Chronograph
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 2385, 37 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, overall max length 210mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 41mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed.
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Audemars Piguet International Warranty card, wooden presentation box, additional Audemars Piguet crocodile strap with 18K gold AP deployant clasp, product literature, and outer packaging.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
In response the quartz crisis of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Audemars Piguet released the Royal Oak wristwatch in 1972 as the world’s first stainless steel luxury sports watch with fully integrated bracelet. Designed by famed horologer Gerald Genta, it was a model that revolutionized luxury watches with a monobloc case featuring an octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal white gold screws. The model evolved over time with the introduction of complicated variants including the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, followed later by the first Royal Oak chronograph introduced in 1998. The reference 25860 housed the caliber 2385 based on the Frederic Piguet caliber 1185, with the new movement being the thinnest self-winding chronograph movement made at the time, permitting the classic thin profile of the original Royal Oak to be maintained.
In 2008, Audemars Piguet replaced the reference 25860 with the introduction of the Royal Oak reference 26300 - a redesigned model featuring a three-piece case similar in construction to the brand’s Offshore collection. Today, the reference 26331BA, like the present watch is the luxurious and heavy modern iteration of the cult classic. The watch has all the appeal of the original, with the case enlarged slightly to a 41mm diameter. With its charismatic, blue Grande Tapisserie dial and yellow gold luminous markers, it is both an impressive and masculine chronograph wristwatch.
The present example in yellow gold is in excellent, nearly new overall condition and was probably worn only a handful of times. Accompanied by the International Warranty and presentation box, this is a rare opportunity to own a model that is difficult to find and is highly sought after.
PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER
In 2008, Audemars Piguet replaced the reference 25860 with the introduction of the Royal Oak reference 26300 - a redesigned model featuring a three-piece case similar in construction to the brand’s Offshore collection. Today, the reference 26331BA, like the present watch is the luxurious and heavy modern iteration of the cult classic. The watch has all the appeal of the original, with the case enlarged slightly to a 41mm diameter. With its charismatic, blue Grande Tapisserie dial and yellow gold luminous markers, it is both an impressive and masculine chronograph wristwatch.
The present example in yellow gold is in excellent, nearly new overall condition and was probably worn only a handful of times. Accompanied by the International Warranty and presentation box, this is a rare opportunity to own a model that is difficult to find and is highly sought after.
PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER
Audemars Piguet
Swiss | 1881A 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.
Browse MakerToday, 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.