Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII Geneva Saturday, May 8, 2021 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1995
    Reference No: 25810OR
    Movement No: 438'021
    Case No: D68807
    Model Name: Royak Oak Quantieme Perpetuel Automatique
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold concealed Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1995 with rotor bearing the number "120" as part of a 120 pieces limited edition for the 120th anniversary of Audemars Piguet

  • Catalogue Essay

    Watchmaking companies have a peculiarity when compared to other businesses: many of the household names in watchmaking have a history that stretches back decades or even centuries. This wealth of history and heritage plays an important part in shaping the modern perception of the brand: the longer the heritage, the higher the prestige and, generally speaking, the more evolved and refined the aesthetic and technical canons (the famous “identity”) of the brand.

    This interaction helps to understand why watchmaking brands, especially starting from the late 1980s/early 1990s, are used to celebrating important milestones with incredibly attractive and, usually, equally rare timepieces, as exemplified by the present lot.

    As proudly stated on the dial, this perpetual calendar Royal Oak celebrates the 120th anniversary (1875-1995) of the company and as expected Audemars Piguet created something that goes beyond special for this commemoration. The full rose gold case is already impressive beyond words, conveying a sense of warmth, gravitas, and refined opulence. The dial compounds to this effect thanks to its ineffable two-tone salmon finish: the main surface presents a matte finish, but the subsidiary counter feature instead a metallic finish, granting movement and flair to the ensemble. The attention to details found on Audemars Piguet perpetual calendar dials is astounding. Most notably, the present dial features a strongly tri-dimensional architecture, with recessed subsidiary dials. In fact, the month/leap year cycle dial features a double recess in order to put on two physically different plains the bissextile cycle and the month indication.

    A reminder that we are in the presence of an anniversary piece is subtly hidden into the movement as well as being openly declared on the dial. The calibre features a gold-rimmed, hand-engraved, skeletonized rotor, whose curvy design might appear abstract at first glance, but in a matter of seconds one realises it represents in fact the number of years celebrated: 120, the same as the total number of pieces produced.

    The present example is offered in exceptionally well preserved condition. It was originally sold in 1995 in the United States.

  • Artist Biography

    Audemars Piguet

    Swiss • 1881

    A 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.

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126

Ref. 25810OR
A very rare and extremely attractive pink gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases and bracelet, part of a 120 pieces limited edition made to commemorate Audemars Piguet's 120th anniversary

1995
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 140,000 
€54,400-127,000
$65,300-152,000

Sold for CHF239,400

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII

Geneva Auction 8 - 9 May 2021