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Lot Essay
The present Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar reference 25654 is distinguished by its exceptionally rare deep blue so-called ‘Tuscan’ dial, one of the most distinctive and exotic dial variations found on the model. Characterised by its finely hammered surface, the dial displays an irregular texture of delicate ridges that interact dynamically with the light, shifting in tone depending on the viewing angle. As a result of this distinctive finishing technique, no two ‘Tuscan’ dials are precisely alike. Found on only a small number of Audemars Piguet watches produced during the 1990s, it lends the present example an immediately recognisable character. The present timepiece dates from the final year of production of the reference, when only 31 examples in yellow gold were sold.
Reference 25654
Introduced in 1987, reference 25654 perpetuated the aesthetic established by reference 5554 in 1984 and was most commonly fitted with dials without the Royal Oak’s traditional Tapisserie motif. Its case construction was also revised to improve water resistance, increasing slightly in thickness from 7.5 mm. to 8.3 mm. while retaining the celebrated 39 mm. proportions of the classic Royal Oak.
For almost a decade, reference 25654 formed the heart of Audemars Piguet’s 39 mm. Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar collection. Of the twelve Royal Oak references powered by calibre 2120⁄2800, the 25654 accounted for almost half of total production. It remained in the catalogue until 1996, when it was succeeded by reference 25820, whose calibre 2120⁄2801 introduced a leap-year cycle indication directly on the dial.
Reference 25654
Introduced in 1987, reference 25654 perpetuated the aesthetic established by reference 5554 in 1984 and was most commonly fitted with dials without the Royal Oak’s traditional Tapisserie motif. Its case construction was also revised to improve water resistance, increasing slightly in thickness from 7.5 mm. to 8.3 mm. while retaining the celebrated 39 mm. proportions of the classic Royal Oak.
For almost a decade, reference 25654 formed the heart of Audemars Piguet’s 39 mm. Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar collection. Of the twelve Royal Oak references powered by calibre 2120⁄2800, the 25654 accounted for almost half of total production. It remained in the catalogue until 1996, when it was succeeded by reference 25820, whose calibre 2120⁄2801 introduced a leap-year cycle indication directly on the dial.