255 Audemars Piguet Highly Impressive, Sought-After and Untouched, Royal Oak, Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phases, Leap and Week Year Indication, Openworked Automatic Wristwatch in Black Ceramic, With Box and Papers, Reference 26585CE

Estimate: € 160,000 –⁠ 320,000

Sold € 279,500

Model: Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetuel
Reference: 26585CE
Case Material: Black Ceramic
Bracelet Material: Black Ceramic
Year: 2021
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 5135
Case N°: WN9773X
Movement N°: BC8954
Dimensions: 41 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
Accessories: Box, Papers and additional links

Firstly, as a time-only watch and later in the years with many other complications such as perpetual calendar, chronograph or minute repeater, the Royal Oak is undoubtedly the watch par excellence by Audemars Piguet. In order to bring something new, in 2011 the brand released a Royal Oak perpetual calendar in black ceramic with grande tappiserie dial on a black ceramic bracelet. Exceptionally well received, the watch became one of the most popular serially produced Royal Oak models. That watch was joined by a sister model in 2019, with the launch of a skeletonized or “openwork” version that immediately became the most desired and hard to acquire edition of the Royal Oak. A feat of technical mastery, this specimen dresses the artistic openworked sapphire dial and the movement’s visible pink gold components in black ceramics. With a completely refreshed appeal and an excellently executed black ceramic case with a fine brushed finish, the idea of an all-black appeal combined with the complex perpetual calendar complication is perhaps the perfect fusion between the past and present. Of course, the in-house cal. 5135 with a total of 374 components is impressive in its own right, but the ability to see its inner workings in such a legible manner only added to the appeal. The present example is offered in basically new overall condition with no evident signs of use and wear and is complete with its warranty. The combination of cutting edge materials and a contemporary interpretation of a classic design from one of the most historic and storied horological Maison’s makes this one the greatest modern watches from any brand and arguably one of the most sought-after contemporary Royal Oak models in the market today.