Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

New York, Mar 15, 2006

LOT 258

?Royal Oak Concept? Audemars Piguet, Genève, ?Royal Oak Concept?, No. 543739, case No. E 88201, Ref. CW 1. Made in a limited edition of 150 examples. Production of this reference started in 2002. Extremely fine, rare and unusual, oversized, tonneau-shaped, water-resistant, Alacrite gentleman's wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, instantaneous mainspring torque indicator (?Dynamograph?), linear power-reserve indication, crown function mode push-button and indication, octagonal titanium bezel and a stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp. Accompanied by a special fitted box and certificate.

USD 190,000 - 250,000

EUR 160,000 - 210,000

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, case back and bezel secured with 8 hexagonal screws, screwed-down hexagonal winding crown and push-button to select the crown functions, transparent case back, sapphire crystals. D. Transparent with outermost luminous dots, subsidiary indicators for the mainspring torque, linear power-reserve, seconds, the winding/neutral/setting functions of the crown, visible one-minute tourbillon regulator under a matte ?serpentine? bridge. Luminous steel "bâton" hands. M. Cal. 2896 with skeletonized titanium movement bridges, 36 jewels, lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance with mean time screws, titanium shock-absorbers, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 44 x 55 mm. Thickness 19 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

Royal Oak Concept This model was produced in a limited edition of only 150 watches ? 30 pieces in 2002, 60 in 2003 and 60 in 2004. It is one of Audemars Piguet?s most complicated watches and their most innovative model. Entirely developed and built by AP?s subsidiary Renaud & Papi, the ?CW 1? concept watch celebrates 30 years of ?Royal Oak? history and breaks new grounds with its highly unusual technical features: electro-erosion formed titanium shock-absorbers to protect the tourbillon cage; a clutch system with mode pusher and indicator to wind the watch or to change the time; titanium movement plates, which are light yet strong and an innovative linear power-reserve indicator, which is calibrated for the number of turns the barrel makes (one barrel rotation equals circa 6 hours of operation). The watch case is machined from Alacrite 602, a new super-alloy used in aero-technology and medical applications. It consists of 57% Cobalt, 31% Chrome, 5% Tungsten and trace amounts of Carbon, Silicon and Iron. The material is extremely hard (Vickers Rate of 430) and difficult to work with, especially on such a challenging case design like the ?Concept? watch. The CW 1 gives testimony to Audemars Piguet?s horological audacity and highlights the fact that after 30 years of production the iconic ?Royal Oak? still continues to surprise us with innovative features both technically and esthetically.