AUDEMARS PIGUET

Royal Oak early Perpetual Calendar

ref. 25554BA

(SOON MORE PICTURES & VIDEO)

Thanks to the iconoclast Gerald Genta who had this genius stroke of pen in early 70s Audemars Piguet got its icon and most innovative watch design ever made which became and still is its best-seller. In 1981 the brand developped the perpetual calendar and cased it in a Royal Oak in 1983 with the 5554. The watch was announced to the world in 1984. Note that the ref.5554 shortly became ref.25554 in 1985 as the brand moved to a 5 digit code for its references adding a « 2 » prefix. 

The timepiece timeXchange is offering here is one of these. An extremelly rare reference. Produced between 1983-1991 and sold between 1983-1993. Only 279 pieces were made in TOTAL during that period of which 229 were in yellow gold. It was replaced by the reference 25654st which featured a slightly thicker case (8.25mm vs 7.5mm for the 25554) allowing to fix the waterproofing of the timepiece.

Dial & case: the watch presents an immaculate champagne dial in fantastic condition. The small lettering is a feature of the first generation (MK1) of font used by AP until 1993. It is the only font legit for the reference 5554-25554 whatever the series (C or early D) before the brand switched to a taller font from 1994 or so onwards. Original gold hands for hours & minutes and original blue hands for subdials. The 39mm case is in remarquable condition. The distance between the holes on the lugs and the edge is the best way to appreciate how unpolished the watch is. Exceptionnal.

Serial: N•2xx C19XXX sold in 1986

Movement: ultra-thin revolutionary LeCoultre AP 2120/2800 caliber central rotor 

Box & papers: comes its fresh AP certificate of authenticity.

A rare (golden) bird

PRICE:   // SOLD //

<