Audemars Piguet - The New York Watch Auction: NINE New York Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 2000
    Reference No: 25820ST
    Movement No: 424’961
    Case No: E33597.131
    Model Name: Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar “Yves Klein”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, caliber 2120/2802, 38 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by a Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin dated May 21, 2000 and stamped Bartorelli, Certificate of Authenticity confirming the sapphire blue dial dated August 16, 2023, presentation box, product literature and outer packaging.

  • 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 production 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, nine in tantalum/platinum, and 13 in tantalum/pink gold, 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”.

    Active during the mid-twentieth century, Yves Klein was a member of the Nouveau-Réalisme movement. He is best known for his bright blue monochrome paintings and sculptures. Amusingly, at his first public exhibition, he featured canvases of different colors (orange, red, yellow, pink, and blue) but the reaction of the public – who insisted on finding an nonexistent connection between his works – prompted him from then on to focus on just one color: the now-famous Yves Klein blue, of which this dial color is – serendipitously – a near-perfect replica.

    The present lot was recently serviced by Audemars Piguet and is preserved in excellent overall condition. It is accompanied by its original Certificate of Origin as well as a recently issued Certificate of Authenticity confirming the sapphire blue dial. The present watch will without any doubt satisfy the horological needs of even the most demanding Royal Oak collectors.

  • 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. 25820ST
A very rare and attractive stainless steel perpetual calendar wristwatch with sapphire blue dial, and bracelet, with certificate of origin and authenticity, and presentation box

2000
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed

Estimate
$120,000 - 240,000 
CHF106,000-213,000
€110,000-220,000
HK$936,000-1,870,000
S$161,000-323,000

Sold for $190,500

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: NINE

New York Auction 9 - 10 December 2023