lot 42

Audemars Piguet

Royal Oak Chronograph Electric Blue

Estimate CHF 40 000 / CHF 45 000
Starting bid CHF 40 000

Hammer price CHF 60 000
Total bids 13
Buyer’s premium will not be charged

Specification

CaseOctagonal stainless steel case, with a solid stainless steel caseback, screwed down pushers and crown
BraceletIntegrated stainless steel bracelet
Dial"Electric blue" Tapisserie dial with engine turned sub-dials, 30 minute counter at 3 o'clock, 12 hour counter at 9 o'clock, small seconds at 6 o'clock, date window between 4 and 5 o'clock, signed: Audemars Piguet Automatic
MovementRhodium-plated automatic movement with perlage, column wheel chronograph, date indication
Cal.2385
Ref.25860ST.OO.1110ST.04
Movement No.520555
Case No.E-49501 / No. 3666
D=39mm
Year2001

Condition report

Case:Very good, small signs of wear
Bracelet:Very good, small signs of wear
Dial:Mint condition
Movement:All functions working properly
Amplitude (Dial on top/Lift angle 52):Approx 270 degrees
Accuracy (Dial on top):Approx + 5 sec/day
Box:Yes
Papers:Yes

Details

A fine, attractive and rare first-generation chronograph wristwatch of the famous Swiss watch brand Audemars Piguet, founded in 1875. Estimated production period: 1997–2000. Case in stainless steel, diameter 39mm, thickness 11mm, solid stainless steel caseback with engraved “Royal Oak” inscription, case number and model serial number. Electric-blue dial with enlarged ‘Grande Tapisserie’ pattern. Self-winding caliber 2385 with an inertial segment in 18k yellow gold, thin, with a power reserve of up to 40 hours. Functions – indication of time in hours and minutes, small seconds hand at 6 o’clock, chronograph with central seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, and date between 4 and 5 o’clock. Audemars Piguet stainless steel bracelet, second-generation double folding stainless steel clasp.

Lot essay

Reference 25860 is the first Royal Oak chronograph wristwatch produced since 1997 on the basis of the self-winding caliber 2385, which had just been developed by the brand in collaboration with movement-blank producer Frédéric Piguet as a personalized version of its legendary caliber 1185. Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 25860 was available in different variations and was mostly produced in stainless steel, as the present example, and predominantly fitted with a dark blue or a matt silvered ‘Grande Tapisserie’ dial, featuring either an original or enlarged ‘Grande Tapisserie’ pattern.

Part of this reference release featured a deep blue dial, unusual for the Royal Oak collection, and was nicknamed ‘Electric Blue’. The dial design of the present example is characterized by such features as an enlarged ‘Grande Tapisserie’ pattern, round applied luminous markers at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, “05” on the peripheral minutes/seconds scale, and the digit “2” with a rounded top scroll on the “20” and “25” markers in the peripheral minutes/seconds scale (which is typical for reference 25860). As usual in the Royal Oak Chronograph of that period when featuring a dark dial, the hands are painted white. Our research did not reveal the presence of models with either an ‘Electric Blue’ dial or a white silvered dial featuring an original small ‘Grande Tapisserie’ pattern – instead an enlarged pattern is always present.

The present lot is particularly rare and attractive due to the charismatic ‘Electric blue’ dial, featuring only in the first-generation Royal Oak Chronographs

Numerical execution and design variations make Royal Oak chronographs an extremely attractive object for collecting and research. The present lot featuring a rare ‘Electric blue’ dial offers another rare opportunity to purchase a watch with case number 3666, the same as in another listing in this sale – the Royal Oak Chronograph Blue ‘Roundel’ Counters Ref. 26300ST.OO.1110ST.07, marked by the same No 3666 (this is not a mistake, as these watches have different references).

Reasons to bid

The Royal Oak Chronograph ‘Electric Blue’ Ref. 25860ST.O.1110ST.04 would be an excellent purchase for the collector who desires an attractive, very rare and collectible wristwatch from a world-renowned traditional watch brand, one of the undisputed leaders in the haute horlogerie watch market. The present lot is particularly rare and attractive due to the charismatic ‘Electric blue’ dial, featuring only in the first-generation Royal Oak Chronographs, which are increasingly attracting collectors who appreciate the iconic design of the Royal Oak in its chronograph applications, and intriguing rarities are being discovered through the efforts of experts and connoisseurs.

N.B.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the legendary Royal Oak, this Ineichen Auctioneers sale offers an unprecedented selection of automatic chronographs produced by Audemars Piguet since 1998. Against the backdrop of other lots, above all the automatic Royal Oak Jumbo and Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, which enjoy the active interest of collectors, the Royal Oak Chronograph has so far clearly been underestimated. It is, nevertheless, very attractive and promising for collecting part of the magnificent historical heritage of the Royal Oak collection. In addition, the Royal Oak Chronograph remains relevant as a luxurious daily wearer. The keen collector should note that also offered for purchase in this sale are other attractive and collectible Royal Oak chronographs, including the rarest and most desirable Royal Oak Chronograph Blue ‘Roundel’ Counters, City of Sails ‘Be Happy’ Limited Edition, and Royal Oak Chronograph ‘Tropical Hands’, among others.