Lot Essay
Pioneering the path for the future, legendary Audemars Piguet reference 5554ST, quickly renamed reference 25554, was the first Royal Oak to covet a perpetual calendar complication. At its time of launch in 1983, it was the first and only steel wristwatch intended as a luxury timepiece to behold such a mighty complication. The timepiece was produced in very scarce quantities and limited to only 279 examples across all metals including steel, yellow gold, and platinum. In many ways, reference 5554ST was just as groundbreaking as the release of the original Royal Oak reference 5402 through integrating such a romantic complication into a streamline, “sporty,” steel wristwatch. Nonetheless, the timepiece provided all-around versatility and functionality, contributing to its fond appreciation and care by the original owner.
Fresh to market and from the family of the original owner, the present lot is one of the earliest known reference 5554ST Royal Oaks to be publicly offered and is numbered 21. The Extract from the Archives confirms that the watch was purchased on the 6th of June 1984. Measuring 39mm with an incredible thinness of only 7.5mm, making the watch the thinnest Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetual still to date, the timepiece has a wonderful sleek fit and is easy to wear on the wrist. Being the first of its kind, the silver dial excludes a leap year indicator, providing a balanced, uniform aesthetic which wonderfully complements the multi-faceted beguiling case. Powering the timepiece is the Audemars Piguet ultra-thin caliber 2120/2800, often regarded as one of the most innovative and impressive movements ever created. The present lot is a wonderful opportunity to own an original, legendary timepiece that reimagined and revamped the world of luxury watches.
Fresh to market and from the family of the original owner, the present lot is one of the earliest known reference 5554ST Royal Oaks to be publicly offered and is numbered 21. The Extract from the Archives confirms that the watch was purchased on the 6th of June 1984. Measuring 39mm with an incredible thinness of only 7.5mm, making the watch the thinnest Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetual still to date, the timepiece has a wonderful sleek fit and is easy to wear on the wrist. Being the first of its kind, the silver dial excludes a leap year indicator, providing a balanced, uniform aesthetic which wonderfully complements the multi-faceted beguiling case. Powering the timepiece is the Audemars Piguet ultra-thin caliber 2120/2800, often regarded as one of the most innovative and impressive movements ever created. The present lot is a wonderful opportunity to own an original, legendary timepiece that reimagined and revamped the world of luxury watches.