Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1991 Reference No: 56175TT Movement No: 361'969 Case No: D5055.002 Model Name: Royal Oak Championship Material: Stainless steel and tantalum Calibre: Quartz, cal 2612, 8 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel and tantalum Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 175mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel and tantalum Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 33mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet wooden box and outer packaging. Further accompanied by Audemars Piguet and Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo co-signed Royal Oak 50th Anniversary Attestation.
Catalogue Essay
Immediately recognisable by the “Championship” engraving to the back, the Royal Oak Championship ref. 56175TT was released in 1990 to commemorate Sir Nick Faldo’s back-to-back Masters and British Open victories. While extremely attractive thanks to the subtle shift in nuances granted by the two-tone steel and tantalum case, the model is notable from an historical point of view as it is the first example of this metal combination on a Royal Oak. Earlier watches in tantalum and pink gold are known, but this is the first appearance of the steel/tantalum combination.
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.
