204
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 25980AI.OO.D003SU.01
Royal Oak Concept Watch (CW1)
A rare and very fine limited edition oversized alacrite 602 and titanium semi-skeletonized tourbillon wristwatch with dynamographe, power reserve, and function selector
Full-Cataloguing
- Tourbillon and dynamographe
- The CW1 was released for the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak model
- It appears that Alacrite was only used for this model, never again used for any other watch from any other brand
- Made in a limited edition of 150 examples
Similar to concept cars, concept wristwatches are often models built not only to demonstrate a brand’s technical prowess and master craftsmanship, but also to bring new technical advances to a product line. Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Concept (CW1) was released in 2002 for the 30th anniversary of the legendary Royal Oak model – an exploration of what the brand believed the Royal Oak could look like in the future.
The Royal Oak Concept Watch’s case is made from Alacrite 602, an innovative and resilient alloy consisting of cobalt, chrome, tungsten and traces of carbon, silicon and iron, with purposes in the aerospace industry and medical applications. To date, it appears that Alacrite was only used for this model, never again used for any other watch from any other brand. While the foundations of the Royal Oak are present, the case’s angular and curved construction, along with its movement’s aesthetic, were revolutionary and ushered in Audemars Piguet’s vision for 21st-century watchmaking. The movement, developed by AP’s complication specialists at the time, Renaud et Papi, is constructed with titanium plates and bridges and features a tourbillon seen through the semi-skeletonized dial. At the 12 o’clock position, Audemars Piguet added a “dynamographe” to represent the quality of torque on the mainspring, and to its right is a unique linear power reserve spanning the length of the dial from 1 o’clock to 5 o’clock. At 6 o’clock is a function selection indicator showing the current function of the crown: winding (R-remontoir), neutral (N-neutre) and setting (H-heures).
The Royal Oak Concept is a remarkable statement piece – a unique and innovative timepiece that showcased both the boldness and technical expertise of Audemars Piguet at the turn of the last century. Made in a limited edition of just 150 examples, the present lot is an excellent opportunity for passionate collectors to own a rare and unusual “concept” watch showcasing the horological mastery of a storied Swiss watchmaker.
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.