Lot #1731
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Black Ceramic Perpetual Calendar 26579CE.OO.1225CE.01
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Introduction
Released in 1972 and designed by Gerald Genta, watchmaking's most famous designer, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was the first stainless steel luxury sports watch ever to exist. Released as a tactic to survive the quartz crisis, the Royal Oak can single-handedly be thanked for AP's existence today due to its astounding success, albeit it wasn't an overnight hit. Its sizeable tonneau-shaped case, signature integrated bracelet, octagonal bezel, exposed screws, and steel construction failed to win over collectors until a few years later. Today, the Royal Oak is one of the most highly-coveted timepieces in all horology as its previously dismissed design details have permeated across the industry and into watches like the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Vacheron Constantin Overseas, Rolex Oysterquartz, amongst many other legendary timepieces.
Arguably one of the Royal Oak’s most significant modern achievements came in 2017 when AP launched the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Black Ceramic ref. 26579CE. While the Royal Oak has had perpetual calendar variants as part of its family since 1984, the ref. 26579CE was notable for its all-black ceramic construction. While this might seem rather pedestrian now given how commonplace ceramic watches are today, 2017 was another story and ceramic watches were far from the norm. And, the Royal Oak is not like most other watches. Instead, the Royal Oak features one of the most intricate physical constructions in all of watchmaking with its detail integrated bracelet and octagonal case posing quite the challenge for AP to produce in ceramic and polish to the standard they have managed to achieve due to just how hard and scratch-resistant ceramic is, which also means the ref. 26579CE is virtually scratchproof on top its other main benefit; how light it is. Powered by the incredible cal. 5134 movement and featuring a slate gray dial to match its sleek black construction with black subdials, the ref. 26579CE is perhaps one of AP’s most visually distinctive, aesthetically cohesive and horologically impressive offerings ever; the ultimate trifecta of watch design.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 9
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box and Papers
Est. value range
$150,000 – $250,000
The Details
Brand
Audemars Piguet
Dimensions
41mm x 9.5mm
Model
Royal Oak
Movement
Automatic cal. 5134
Reference
26579CE.OO.1225CE.01
Bracelet
Black ceramic integrated bracelet
Year
2017
Condition
Near-Mint
Material
Black ceramic
Included
Watch, box and papers
Dial Color
Black
THE DIAL
In keeping with its sleek blacked-out aesthetic, the ref. 26579CE features a slate gray dial with a black periphery and subdials alongside the Royal Oak's signature 'Grande Tapisserie'.
THE CONSTRUCTION
While measuring in at 41mm, the ref. 26579CE wears incredibly light on the wrist thanks to its ceramic construction, which also lends it a timelessly sleek aesthetic.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in overall near mint condition, showing light signs of use, predominately on the metal clasp. The bracelet has 22 links total (full links).
Our Perspective
Perhaps one of AP's most technically challenging timepieces in a long time, the ref. 26579CE was a brand-defining watch when it first launched, which it still remains to this day with its highly complex movement reflecting its truly remarkable construction.
Justin Gruenberg
Co-founder
