Phillips will host a sale especially dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak which will take place at the Hôtel La Réserve in Geneva, Switzerland on May 6, 2022. This sale will feature several historically important watches including case No. 2 of the original Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ reference 5402ST. This is the earliest example known to come to the watch auction market. The highlights also include case No.1 of the 25th anniversary Royal Oak Automatique Tourbillon and Karl Lagerfeld’s PVD coated Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ ref. 5402ST.

The Royal Oak Automatique Tourbillon 25th Anniversary ref. 25831 was released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. This exceptionally limited edition watch was produced in very limited quantities with 25 pieces in stainless steel, 5 pieces in 18K yellow gold, and 10 pieces in 950 platinum —5 with blue dial and 5 with salmon dial. it is the only Royal Oak Tourbillon fitted with an automatic calibre and it is also known, that there's one unique piece in a combination of 18K rose gold and 18K white gold created specifically for the Sultan of Brunei.

All the estimates do not include buyer’s premium and all prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium. The auction viewing dates are as follow:

• New-York - March 24-28, 2022 at Phillips New York Office, 432 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

• Taipei - March 31 - April 3, 2022 at Phillips at Art Roastery x Louisa Coffee No. 95, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City

• Singapore - April 7-9, 2022 at the St. Regis Hotel, 29 Tanglin Rd - Singapore 247911

• London - April 21-24, 2022 at Phillips’ HQ, 30 Berkeley Square, London

• Geneva - May 4-8, 2022 at the Hôtel La Réserve, Bellevue, Geneva

Highlights of the Phillips 'The Royal Oak 50th Auction'

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ ref. 5402ST Case No. A2

We are delighted to offer the earliest number reference 5402 to ever appear at auction as it bears the number A2, making it the second Royal Oak ever made! Adding an extra element of historical relevance is the fact that this watch was one of the four Royal Oak models presented to the press and public at the opening of the Basel watch fair in 1972. The watch is furthermore complete with its full set of accessories and remains unworn. Estimate CHF 200,000-400,000.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ ref. 5402ST A-series – Karl Lagerfeld Black PVD

Phillips is delighted to offer an icon that was most probably worn by an icon: Karl Lagerfeld’s black PVD coated reference 5402. Lagerfeld was a German creative director, fashion designer, artist, and photographer mainly known for his work at the helm of fashion powerhouses Chanel and Fendi. Lagerfeld was often seen wearing black PVD Royal Oak models of different sizes which he would then gift to friends and collaborators. Considering the provenance of the piece - bought in Italy in early 1974 when Lagerfeld was living there - it came back to the market in 1995 and remained in the same collection for over two decades. There are period photos showing Lagerfeld wearing a black PVD Ref 5402. The place of delivery of the watch and amount of wear lead Phillips’ watch specialists to believe that this watch had been the property of Lagerfeld. Estimate CHF 100,000-200,000.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon ref. 25831ST Case No. 1

The Royal Oak Automatique Tourbillon 25th Anniversary ref. 25831 was released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. This exceptionally limited edition watch was produced in very limited quantities with 25 pieces in stainless steel, 5 pieces in 18K yellow gold, and 10 pieces in 950 platinum —5 with blue dial and 5 with salmon dial. it is the only Royal Oak Tourbillon fitted with an automatic calibre and it is also known, that there's one unique piece in a combination of 18K rose gold and 18K white gold created specifically for the Sultan of Brunei. The present example is in stainless steel and bears case No. 1. Estimate CHF 120,000-240,000.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Grande Complication ref. 25865ST Stainless Steel

This impressive Royal Oak in stainless steel is a Grande Complication in the truest of horological sense as it elegantly brings together three extremely difficult complications to master: a minute repeater, a perpetual calendar, and a split-seconds chronograph. It is a unique piece in stainless steel. Estimate CHF 250,000-500,000.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Grande Complication ref, 25990BC White Gold

The second Grande Complication in the sale is also a unique piece. It is not only a technical marvel bringing together a minute repeater, a perpetual calendar, and a split-seconds chronograph, but its white gold case is lavishly set with diamonds as is its dial that features a visually arresting mother of pearl subdials. Estimate CHF 250,000-500,000.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Open-worked Perpetual Calendar in Platinum ref. 25636PT

This perpetual calendar in full platinum is one of the earliest variants to feature an open-worked dial exposing the magical wonders of the perpetual calendar mechanism. Featuring rare midnight blue subdials, the model does not feature a leap year indicator. Only 41 pieces in platinum were made. Estimate CHF 200,000-400,000.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Open-worked Perpetual Calendar Platinum Tantalum ref. 25829TP

One of only 16 pieces made, this timepiece features a mix of metals rarely seen in watchmaking. The matte sheen of platinum with the bluish/grey hues of the tantalum provides a fully captivating look. It also features an open-worked dial exposing the magical wonders of the perpetual calendar mechanism. Estimate CHF 120,000-240,000.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jubilee Platinum ref. 14802PT

Launched for the Royal Oak’s 20th anniversary in 1992, reference 14802 this reference was released in a limited edition of 100 pieces of which 20 of them were made in platinum along with a few in 18K yellow gold and the rest in stainless steel. Amongst the platinum pieces, a very low number featured the beautiful blue “Tuscan” dial. Estimate CHF 250,000-500,000.