Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 2003 Reference No: 25854TI.OO.1150TI.01 Movement No: 540’322 Case No: F02872, No.0013 Model Name: Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetual Automatic Material: Titanium Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2226/2839, 54 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Titanium Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Delivered with Audemars Piguet Extract from the Archives confirming its date of register on 15th December 2003.
Catalogue Essay
Marking a new era for the acclaimed Le Brassus based manufacturer Audemars Piguet, the Royal Oak was launched in 1972, being the very first luxury sports wristwatch with an integrated bracelet. Designed by industry genius Gerald Genta, the model was the first of its kind featuring a monobloc hexagonal case with naked screws securing the bezel. With an inspiration coming from the porthole of a ship, the Royal Oak was introduced as a new chapter with a modern, larger and masculine appeal in 1993 with the release of the Royal Oak Offshore, featuring a chronograph and date function with an enlarged 42mm diameter case, earning its nickname “The Beast”.
The present Royal Oak Offshore features more than just a chronograph but also a perpetual calendar function. Delivered with an Audemars Piguet Extract from the Archives confirming its date of register in 2003 with a case composed of grade 2 titanium, the present watch retains its strong masculine appeal with a significantly reduced weight on the wrist. Preserved in attractive overall condition and boasting an unpolished case with crisp case edges and bevels, the present example fitted with a white “tappiserie” dial is certainly a desirable iteration of the much loved and famed Royal Oak Offshore.
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.