Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 2001 Reference No: 25820ST.OO.0944ST.02 Movement No: 505'895 Case No: E33688 and 0222 Model Name: Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2120/2802, 38 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 39mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Extrait de Registre confirming the register date on September 20, 2001 and pouch.
Catalogue Essay
Introducing a leap year indicator to Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, the reference 25820 was launched in 1996 and remained in production until 2013. The complete count numbers 628 pieces in steel, 107 pieces in yellow gold, 74 pieces in platinum, 11 in pink gold, 378 in steel/platinum, 15 in tantalum/yellow gold, 9 in tantalum/platinum, and 13 in tantalum/pink gold were produced, for a grand total of 1,235 examples.
Arguably the best known dial color found on Royal Oak timepieces, the present watch features a “sapphire blue” dial according to the official Audemars Piguet nomenclature. However, even the greenest watch enthusiast knows the community calls it a different, very appropriate nickname: the “Yves Klein”. When the beauty and rarity of the "Sapphire Blue" dial merges with the collectability and historical appeal of a perpetual calendar Royal Oak, one knows without a doubt that one is in the presence of a wristwatch that is as eminently collectible as it is strikingly charming. Most importantly, research with the manufacture confirms that the "02"in the reference number corresponds to a “sapphire lacquered” dial which corresponds to this type of blue.
Offered in excellent condition of both case and dial, the present watch will not fail to satisfy the horological needs of the most demanding Royal Oak collectors.
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.