2022 marked the 50th Anniversary of the Royal Oak, and collectors have come together to celebrate one of the most iconic and coveted models from Audemars Piguet.

First introduced in 1972, this ingenious Genta design was the firm’s inaugural stainless steel time-only wristwatch, boasting an incredibly modern, sporty aesthetic and an integrated bracelet. An unusual release during the peak of the quartz crisis, this robust timepiece became the true pioneer that set the boom of luxury sports models in motion.

Reference 25654 replaced the first Royal Oak Perpetual calendar reference 25554 in 1987 and was produced until 1998 in 315 pieces in steel, 430 pieces in yellow gold, 68 pieces in steel and yellow gold and 38 in platinum. It differs from its sibling for a slightly thicker case thickness (8.25mm vs the 7.5mm of ref. 25554) meant to improve its water resistance capabilities. The firm further incorporated the thin yet powerful calibre 2120/2800 into the Royal Oak case, making it one of the world’s thinnest automatic perpetual calendar wristwatches at the time.

The present Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 25654BA is a beautifully preserved example fitted with a highly desirable MK I dial. Its three gold pearled indexes at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock define this distinct dial configuration and its small signature under the moon phase. Furthermore, the MK I dial does not include a leap year indication, and this feature was only added nine years later when the movement was updated to the calibre 2120/2802 in 1993. Blessed with an attractive layer of patina on the case, this rare vintage gem will most certainly appeal to both novice collectors and seasoned connoisseurs.