Audemars Piguet - The Royal Oak 50th Geneva Friday, May 6, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1996
    Reference No: 25800ST
    Movement No: 443'701
    Case No: D59772.001
    Model Name: Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal 2141/2806, 34 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 33mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin dated 1996, hang tag, service papers, presentation 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

    Whereas the second Royal Oak model ever produced (ref 8638) was dedicated to women, Audemars Piguet reserved the majority of its complicated Royal Oak models for men, housing them in 39mm or 36mm cases.

    Reference 25800 was produced from 1996 to 2002 and is an incredibly attractive, well balanced and legible 33mm perpetual calendar targeting the feminine market.

    The watch houses caliber 2141/2806 which was specifically developed and implemented for this specific reference and features a leap year indicator on the dial. Exceedingly rare and scarcely produced for only a few years it is possibly the smallest self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch ever produced by Audemars Piguet.

    Preserved in excellent condition with crisp bevels and finishes throughout, this reference 25800ST packs a great punch. Housing one of the most sought-after complications that Audemars Piguet offers, it is an extremely charming example. At 33mm in diameter, it still has great presence on the wrist, made even larger due to the silvered dial. Most importantly, the present watch is numbered 001, meaning it was the first example within the series ever created. Preserved in excellent condition, it is accompanied by its original certificate, hang tag, setting pin, presentation box and outer packaging.

  • 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. 25800ST
An extremely charming and well-preserved stainless steel perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, leap year, bracelet, certificate of origin, hang tag and presentation box, bearing No. 1

1996
33mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 
€19,600-39,300
$21,200-42,500

Sold for CHF126,000

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