Exclusive Timepieces 23 –⁠ 24 April 2022 | Monaco

Auction Details

A wide and extremely attractive selection of collectible timepieces from leading collectors, such as Goldberger with the third part of the famous “Rolex Connoisseur Collection”. Also offered: an assortment of the most sought-after contemporary watches such as the platinum Patek Philippe Nautilus, some very rare examples of the Royal Oak, a single owner’s collection of extraordinary Stella dials Rolex DayDates.

Session I
Saturday 23 April at 2:30 p.m. – lots 1 to 103
Session II
Sunday 24 April at 10:30 a.m. – lots 104 to 181
Session III
Sunday 24 April at 2:30 p.m. – lots 182 to 273

91 Audemars Piguet Very Rare and Sought After, Royal Oak, Chronograph Wristwatch in Gold, With Almost Never Seen Doré Dial, Reference 25860ba, With Extract from the Archives, Additional Link and Service

Estimate: € 50,000 –⁠ 100,000

Sold € 149,500

Model: Royal Oak Chronograph
Reference: 25860BA.OO.1110BA.02
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 2001
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 2385
Case N°: E19582 N° 373
Movement N°: 519 998
Dimensions: 39 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case
Accessories: Extract from the Archives, Additional Link and Service

Audemars Piguet launched their sporty chronograph line with the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in 1993 but it was not until 1998 that they decided to return to the more traditional line of Royal Oak, with the release of the Royal Oak Chronograph, similar to the present watch. The here offered reference 25860 has a fully 18k yellow-gold case and bracelet, with a strong appeal and, at the same time, a dressier attitude compared to sporty Royal Oak Off-shore. The 41 mm three-body case has a back with screws, the iconic octagonal bezel with 8 hexagonal nuts, screwed down winding—crown and sapphire crystal. It immediately strikes for the incredibly stunning condition still presenting the original satin finish on the bracelet and case and features a charming dorée “tapisserie” dial with luminous baton indexes, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, aperture for the date between 4 and 5. The reference 25860 housed the caliber 2385 based on the Frederic Piguet caliber 1185, with the new movement being the thinnest self-winding chronograph movement made at the time, permitting the classic thin profile of the original Royal Oak to be maintained. Accompanied with extract from the archives, this very watch is a wonderful example to wear and enjoy and most of all one of the very few ever produced with such a dorée dial that perfectly matches the yellow-gold case and bracelet. Absolutely rare, this gilt configuration is, for the best of our knowledge, the first one to ever appear at auction and thus a masterpiece for every watch collector.