72 Audemars Piguet Extremely Rare and Precious, Royal Oak, Wristwatch in Platinum and Diamonds, With Sapphires Baguette-set Bezel, Pavè Diamond-set Dial and Sapphires Index, Reference 14916PT, Retailed by Asprey

Estimate: €50,000 –⁠ 100,000

Model: Royal Oak
Reference: 14916PT.SS.D129XX.01
Case Material: Platinum and Diamonds
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1994
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 2225
Case N°: N° 13, D42845
Movement N°: 400610
Dimensions: 37 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Extract from the Archives

Audemars Piguet can be placed within the Olympus of Swiss watchmaking alongside Patek Philippe or Breguet given its more than 130 years of history and the production of top-level and high-quality pieces. The Royal Oak is undoubtedly the most iconic watch ever produced by Audemars Piguet, and is the result of the studies and projects of the great watchmaker Gerald Genta, also designer of the Patek Philippe Nautilus and of the Cartier Pasha. In addition to the historical origins, this timepiece came and is still produced in various materials, complications and dimensions. The present example is a beautiful automatic, mid-size model with a fully platinum case with round-cut diamonds on the lugs in excellent condition and the classic octagonal Royal Oak shape but different from many others in some easily distinguishable details: the fixed bezel is composed of 32 baguette shape of sapphires that matches perfectly the sapphires set indexes on the dial. A sapphire crystal protects the splendid pave diamond-set decoration dial with black baton hands while a date window opens at 3 o’clock and the AP logo at 12. These so precious watches are the emblem of the importance with which the Asprey boutique over the years has always distinguished their resale of unique and exclusive pieces such as the lot present here. This company was founded in 1781 by William Asprey, and was originally based in the suburbs of London until the company moved into its current New Bond Street shop. From its central London location, Asprey immediately improved its sale and advertised ’articles of exclusive design and high quality’ to the point of signing some of the most important watches such as Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet. There are not many of these available on the market today, so this would make an excellent addition to any collection.