Property of an Important European Collector
892
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 25829TA.OO.0944TA.01
Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel Automatique
An impressive, unpolished and extremely well-preserved tantalum and yellow gold skeletonized perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, leap year indication and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$950,000 - 1,700,000€111,000 - 199,000$122,000 - 218,000
HK$1,778,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Audemars Piguet
- Year
- Circa 1997
- Reference No
- 25829TA.OO.0944TA.01
- Movement No
- 425’223
- Case No
- D82’703, No. 26
- Model Name
- Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel Automatique
- Material
- Tantalum and 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 2120/2802, 38 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Tantalum and 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 195mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 39mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed; clasp further signed Gay Frères
- Accessories
- Delivered with Audemars Piguet digital Extract from the Archives confirming its date of register of the present timepiece on 18th June 1997.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
In 1986 that Audemars Piguet unveiled the very first fully openworked Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, the ref. 25636. Powered by the calibre 2120/2800, it combined openworked aesthetic, intricate engraving, and the technical mastery of the perpetual calendar, all while maintaining the contemporary design codes of the iconic Royal Oak.
However, the original ref. 25636 did not include a leap year indicator until the release of the upgraded ref. 25820 in 1996, which featured the improved calibre 2120/2802.
Audemars Piguet's pioneering spirit in the 1990s also led to the dramatic rise of innovative material usage in watchmaking. Credits should be given to the brand for their innovative combination of yellow gold and the rare, hard and corrosion-resistant metal, tantalum, shown in this particular timepiece. The pairing, even in today’s world, is exceptionally scarce, which resulted only 15 examples of the ref. 25829 (the openworked variant) produced in this configuration during its production run until 2013.
According to Audemars Piguet, the skeletonized Quantième Perpétuel ref. 25829 was produced in a limited production of just 15 pieces per configuration, including the present tantalum and yellow gold example. Numbered 26 and fresh-to-the-auction market, this is the third example to appear, the other being number 28 and 29. This early specimen is very well-preserved in an unpolished state, with original beveling presented on the case. The stainless steel clasp bears the hallmark of the renowned bracelet maker Gay Frères. An incredibly rare and highly coveted reference by discerning collectors, the watch represents the pinnacle of Audemars Piguet's innovative and traditional watchmaking prowess.
However, the original ref. 25636 did not include a leap year indicator until the release of the upgraded ref. 25820 in 1996, which featured the improved calibre 2120/2802.
Audemars Piguet's pioneering spirit in the 1990s also led to the dramatic rise of innovative material usage in watchmaking. Credits should be given to the brand for their innovative combination of yellow gold and the rare, hard and corrosion-resistant metal, tantalum, shown in this particular timepiece. The pairing, even in today’s world, is exceptionally scarce, which resulted only 15 examples of the ref. 25829 (the openworked variant) produced in this configuration during its production run until 2013.
According to Audemars Piguet, the skeletonized Quantième Perpétuel ref. 25829 was produced in a limited production of just 15 pieces per configuration, including the present tantalum and yellow gold example. Numbered 26 and fresh-to-the-auction market, this is the third example to appear, the other being number 28 and 29. This early specimen is very well-preserved in an unpolished state, with original beveling presented on the case. The stainless steel clasp bears the hallmark of the renowned bracelet maker Gay Frères. An incredibly rare and highly coveted reference by discerning collectors, the watch represents the pinnacle of Audemars Piguet's innovative and traditional watchmaking prowess.
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.