Audemars Piguet - RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020 Geneva Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 2007
    Reference No: 26081
    Movement No: 653'739
    Case No: G00259
    Model Name: Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon
    Material: Titanium and alacrite
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 2896, 37 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Kevlar Audemars Piguet strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 44mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet warranty dated 20th February 2007, operating manual, additional kevlar strap, futuristic fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Royal Oak was launched in 1972 and immediately became one of the flagship models of the company. About twenty years later - in 1993 - Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak Offshore; the model was intended to appeal to a new, younger, more casual audience and was met with as much success as its parent 5204. Following in the suit of these innovations, in 2002 the brand introduced the revolutionary Royal Oak Concept Watch, or simply CW1 (Concept Watch 1), for the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak as a showcase of what they believed the Royal Oak could look like in the future.

    Built to demonstrate the brand’s technical prowess and master craftsmanship - as well as illustrate cutting edge technical advances - it featured a case made of Alacrite 602, an innovative alloy of cobalt, chrome, tungsten, silicon and iron, that was never again used in any other watch. The research on innovative material does not end here: the bezel is in titanium, the movement plate, bridges and tourbillon cage support are made out of forged carbon, and the fabric strap is realized with kevlar fibers. The robust, angular case’s design roots are clearly the same as the original Royal Oak from 1972, reinterpreted with a massive 44mm diameter, a sharply faceted case design and two sapphire crystals so the movement is fully exposed.

    The movement by famed complication specialist Renaud et Papi features a three-arm tourbillon carriage. At the 12 o’clock position, Audemars Piguet added a “dynamographe” to represent the quality of torque on the mainspring, and to its right is a unique linear power reserve indicator spanning the length of the dial from 1 to 5 o’clock. At 6 o’clock, a function selection indicator showing the current function of the crown: winding (R-remontoir), neutral (N-neutre) and setting (H-heures).

    While the original serie of these masterpiece consisted in 150 watches - an already extraordinarily limited output - 14 unique examples are believe to have been made “after-series” for the most important clients of the brand. Immediately recognisable by the design of the tourbillon bridge visible on the dial (serpentine on the serial version, straight on the piece unique), each one of these pieces has a different engraving to the movement plate. The present watch features a most unusual and mysterious cuneiform decor (defined as “Motif Mésopotamique” - Mesopotamian motif - by the Archives).

    Offered in “as-new” condition and complete with its original certificate and presentation box, it was sold by the New York Audemars Piguet Boutique.

  • 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. 26081
A unique and extremely unusual titanium and carbon wristwatch with power reserve and crown function indicators, dynamograph, tourbillon regulator, "motif mésopotamie" engraved movement, Certificate and box

2007
44mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF150,000 - 300,000 
€139,000-278,000
$163,000-327,000

Sold for CHF239,400

Contact Specialist

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

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031

WatchesHK@phillips.com

RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020

Geneva Auction 8 November 2020