Widely renowned for the ever-iconic Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet’s prestigious history as one of the finest watchmakers on Earth is often overlooked in favor for the avant-garde design language they have recently begun to explore. Outside of their modern offerings, some of AP’s vintage and neo-vintage timepieces exercise traditional watchmaking, stunning designs, and awe-inspiring craftsmanship, much like the Quantième Perpétuel Automatique ref. 25681OR that we have here. Released in 1989 and quickly discontinued in 1991, the ref. 25681 saw the production of 123 units join its ranks with metals like 18k yellow gold, platinum, and 18kt rose gold, of which there are only 28 examples, one of which we present here. Classically designed, but with AP’s avant-garde flair, the ref. 25861OR’s 36mm case includes a traditional stepped bezel, short downturned lugs, and thin, elegant case proportions. However, its most distinctive feature is its clover-shaped display, for which it is aptly named after. Featuring four subdials for its perpetual calendar display, it boasts a day, date, and month subdials and a moon phase subdial at 6 o’clock for a satisfying aesthetic to round off its incredible design. Powered by the automatic cal. 2120 movement, the ref. 25681 uses Jaeger LeCoultre’s iconic ultra-thin cal. 920 base movement, which AP shared with Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, and others.

Tremendously rare (and cool), these Clover QPs are beginning to garner the interest and attention they deserve, and so we are delighted to have one here at Loupe This.