264 Audemars Piguet Limited Edition to 300 Pieces and Sought After, Royal Oak “City of Sails”, Chronograph Wristwatch in Titanium, With Blue and Yellow Dial, With Extract From the Archives, Reference 25860IS

Estimate: € 30,000 –⁠ 60,000

Sold € 44,200

Model: Royal Oak Chronograph
Reference: 25860IS
Case Material: Titanium
Bracelet Material: Titanium
Year: 2000
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 2385
Case N°: E-29036
Movement N°: 471540
Dimensions: 39 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
Accessories: Extract from The Archives

Audemars Piguet made a bold foray into the realm of sporty chronographs with the launch of the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in 1993. However, their return to the more conventional Royal Oak line took shape in 1998, marked by the introduction of the Royal Oak Chronograph, akin to the exquisite timepiece presented here. Over the ensuing decades, this model has seen diverse iterations, spanning from timeless time-only pieces to perpetual calendars and commemorative chronographs, exemplified by the watch at hand. In the year 2000, Audemars Piguet unveiled the exclusive City of Sails, Be Happy edition, commemorating the inaugural Swiss Challenge in the America’s Cup held in Auckland, New Zealand. The inaugural version, ref. 25 860, boasted a 39 mm dimension and housed the ultra-thin Cal. 2385. This caliber remains a cornerstone in all Royal Oak chronograph watches, derived from the F. Piguet movement, Cal. 1185, also utilized in prestigious timepieces like the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph and Breguet Marine Chronograph. Limited to a mere 300 timepiece, the chronograph is meticulously crafted from titanium, a durable yet challenging metal to work with. Nonetheless, its lightweight nature ensures a comfortable wearing experience. The watch captivates with its blue tapisserie dial, evoking the vastness of the ocean, adorned with yellow-hued hour markers and hands. The case back bears a unique engraving, “City of Sails,” a moniker synonymous with Auckland, New Zealand, renowned for its rich maritime heritage.