A solid eighteen carat yellow gold Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar. There are many watches that have been designed over the years that leave an indelible mark on the world of horology. This watch is very much one of those. The Audemars Piguet Quantième Perpétual Automatique was important in many reasons and came at a time where the Swiss watch industry was both questioning itself, and worried for its future. Add into this mix that the hand behind the design of this elegant masterpiece was a lady; Jacqueline Dimier.

In 1948, Audemars Piguet achieved a remarkable milestone, unveiling its first-ever perpetual calendar wristwatch, the revered reference 5516. This groundbreaking creation not only showcased the brand's unparalleled watchmaking expertise, but also represented the debut of the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch with a leap-year indicator on the dial. Given the meticulous craftsmanship and painstaking effort required, the production of these exquisite timepieces was extremely limited, totaling a mere 12 units. This marked the beginning of AP and perpetual calendar production.

Off the back of one of AP's boldest moves, The Royal Oak, designed by the now legendary Gerald Genta, both AP and the watch industry was facing its biggest challenge. Much can be read about what has gone on the be called; "The quartz crisis". It is remarkable that AP, under Dimier's leadership from a design perspective, embarked on creating a masterpiece in watch making. Veteran watchmaker Michel Rochat, technical department founder Jean-Daniel Golay, and after-sales service department founder Wilfred Berney spearheaded the development of the ultra-thin 3.95mm caliber. This was achieved through the clever adaptation and integration of a calendar module into the foundation of the pre-existing caliber 2120 movement, which had debuted back in 1967.

Georges Golay, the Chief Executive of AP was shown the end result. His excited reaction lead to the production of one hundred and fifty nine pieces that got the ball rolling into a development that birthed 7219 perpetual calendars over the fifteen years of production with an astonishing seventy different models with approximately two hundred variations been documented. These figures include the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Models. The reference 5548(25548) was the first and dominant reference accounting for 2187 of the total watches produced in this time however an overwhelming majority of models were produced in runs fewer than one hundred pieces, with some models being produced in just a single example!

The example presented here is the second iteration of the model, and a slightly later version within that series. The major change from the first watches were the sunken sub-dials, matte dials and "Swiss Made". This is slightly later version of the 25657 model that features the capitlised A and P in the AP logo beneath the moon-phase. The case is one of the earlier cases with the notch behind the crown stem, less slopped snap back case back and the smaller pushers. The condition of the case is superb throughout with no signs of damage, or heavy wear. There are no signs of polishing and all the correct marks, hallmarks and hand-engraved logo and numbering are all present and crisp. The watch is presented on an original AP leather band with contrast stitch and the original solid eighteen carat yellow gold, early shaped AP pin buckle, full marked, is present.

If you are looking for one of the all time great complicated dress watches, then this model should very much be in the conversation. Mint condition and a fabulous early example. There is no original box or paperwork presented with the watch. The service history is unknown, but the watch is working without any issue.