The first
Royal Oak to feature a perpetual calendar complication was released in 1983, as the reference
5554 (later designated the Ref.
25554). In recent years, the
Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel has often been the canvas on which
Audemars Piguet have experimented and redefined its perpetual calendars, introducing various changes to the design.
This platinum, Ref.
25829PT example is open-worked - featuring a transparent, sapphire dial with grey indicators and blackened gold hands. The layout of the dial includes all the traditional indications of a perpetual calendar: day, date, astronomical moon (with graduation for moon age), month and leap year - the latter, first introduced to the
Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel in 1995.
The platinum case and bracelet are excellently finished, with angular, beveled and polished edges - striking the perfect balance between utilitarian function and elegant design. The polished screws, bezel and case edges fantastically-contrast with the brushed surface of the case and bracelet. At 39mm in diameter, and only 9.3mm thick, this
Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetual case is a beautiful twist of perspectives and size. On the reverse, the watch is highly decorated - displaying brushed and satin surfaces, along with finely-engraved markings, unique reference numbers and stamped hallmarks. The Ref.
25829PT is housed in a 39mm case (like the
5402 'Jumbo’) - succeeded in 2015 by the latest generation of 41mm perpetual calendars.
This
Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetual is powered by the
AP caliber 2120/2802, derived from
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s legendary ultra-thin
JLC 920 calibre movement. The caliber 2120 was an initial project of
Jaeger LeCoultre in 1967, funded and contributed by
Audemars Piguet, and famous for its adoption by
Audemars Piguet,
Patek Philippe and
Vacheron Constantin.
The ultra-thin automatic 2120/2802 calibre features 38 working jewels,
Gyromax balance and four ruby wheels to support the full-diameter rotor, which runs on a beryllium rail for stability. The skeletonised rotor is decoratively hand engraved and edged with 21-carat gold, to increase the oscillating mass. The
AP calibre 2120 remains the thinnest full-rotor self-winding movement in the world, considered by many as one of the most technically refined wrist-watch movements ever made.
The watch comes with its original paperwork (dated April 2010) and accompanying Extract from the Archives.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
