Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII Geneva Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1996
    Reference No: 25810OR
    Movement No: 437'989
    Case No: D68835
    Model Name: Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar “120th Anniversary”
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2120/2801, 38 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 220mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin dated 4 June 1996, instruction manual, Audemars Piguet Certificate of Authenticity and Exclusivity confirming the watch with this movement and case number was produced in a limited edition of 120 examples, setting pin, solar powered winding box, and outer box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1995, Audemars Piguet celebrated an important milestone, the 120th anniversary of the firm. As it is a common tradition for watch brands to launch limited edition or commemorative timepieces for momentous occasions, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar was chosen to embody the spirit and history of over a century of the brand: the reference 25810. Limited to only 120 pieces, each was cased in pink gold with a matching pink gold dial, and featured the classic 39mm case. The distinct luminous quality of the dial comes from the contrast of the circular finishing of the subdials with the straight-grain finishing of the main dial. Even the hands are rendered in pink gold, but polished and tapered so that they are still legible against the dial.

    To further emphasize the significance of the occasion, the moon phases register is inscribed with the commemorative dates “1875-1995”. A subtle, yet meaningful touch, the anniversary is further highlighted on the hand-engraved skeletonized rotor with “120”. Powered by the firm’s self-winding cal. 2120, the movement is equipped with a weekly and leap year indication, with its week of the year indicated via an additional central hand on a chapter ring encircling the edge of the dial. In fact, the month/leap year cycle dial features a double recess in order to separate the bissextile cycle and the month indication.

    Complete with its certificate of origin and presentation boxes, this phenomenally preserved, historically important, and luxuriously elegant wristwatch is the perfect accompaniment for the man or woman who appreciates the marriage of history and beauty.

  • 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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97

Ref. 25810OR
A very rare limited edition pink gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with pink dial, moon phases, leap year indication and bracelet, part of a 120 pieces limited edition made to commemorate Audemars Piguet's 120th anniversary, complete with certificate of origin and presentation box

1996
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 160,000 
€83,300-167,000
$91,400-183,000

Sold for CHF215,900

Contact Specialist

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

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII

Geneva Auction 13 - 14 May 2023