Audemars Piguet - The Royal Oak 50th Geneva Friday, May 6, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 2012
    Reference No: 26603ST
    Movement No: 825'226
    Case No: H35785.0070
    Model Name: Royal Oak Equation of Time
    Material: Stainless Steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2120/2808, 41 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 41mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Warranty, Authentication and Register certificate, additional strap, key, additional outer ring, service papers and outer packaging. Further accompanied by Audemars Piguet and Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo co-signed Royal Oak 50th Anniversary Attestation.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In the early 2000s, Audemars Piguet was the first brand to integrate in a wristwatch not only a perpetual calendar but an equation of time (based on the wearer’s city of choice) as well as time of sunset and sunrise.

    The equation of time indicates the difference between civilian time and true solar time. For convenience, a day is divided in 24 hours however due to the earth’s elliptical path around the sun as well as its tilted rotation axis, a day is not exactly 24 hours and depending on the season can be longer or shorter than 24 hours.

    The blue equation of time hand indicates the true solar time on an inner ring graduated from –15 minutes to +15 minutes. Nonetheless, the mean solar culmination point depends on the wearer's exact location, on the longitude of a given place on the globe. The equation of time read-off system developed by Audemars Piguet takes account of this specific place.

    The present Royal Oak is calibrated for Geneva (as indicated on the inner ring) and the time of the solar zenith is indicated next to the city (here 12h36).

    Other than the traditional calendar indication, the present example also indicates the times of sunrise and sunset in the owner’s desired city indicated via two subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock.

    The equation of time mechanism and inner city ring can be easily changed by Audemars Piguet to reflect the city of choice of the new owner.

    In absolutely appealing condition, it is interesting to note that whereas the day and month indications are in English, the city name Geneva is spelt in Italian: Ginevra. Furthermore, the watch originally came on a leather strap and the owner had a steel bracelet added.

  • 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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Ref. 26603ST
A rare stainless steel perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, equation of time, additional outer ring, original guarantee and box

2012
41mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 120,000 
€58,900-118,000
$63,700-127,000

Sold for CHF119,700

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi

Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

 

Virginie Liatard-Roessli
Head of Sale, Specialist
+41 76 338 91 03
vliatard@phillips.com

The Royal Oak 50th

Geneva Auction 6 May 2022