Incoming 25636BA QP Openworked

[Raemondo]

I haven’t posted in a long while nor have I celebrated my recent incomings on here, but this is a special one that I think some like-minded folks may enjoy.

The 25636BA is a sight to behold. It’s the very first openworked QP in a Royal Oak case, runs on the fabled 2120/2800 movement, and is absolutely perfect on the wrist at a mere 39mm. All the QPs in AP’s contemporary catalog are 41mms and are also thicker. I love the 41mms for the presence and legibility but with a 6.25” wrist, the 39mms like the Jumbo are always a better fit. AP also does not make an openworked QP in precious metal today…the closest being the 26585CE in ceramic, which is IMO the absolute #1 most beautiful AP watch today and a holy grail of mine.

I’ve been in love with this brand for a long time and this acquisition was significant for me because the 25636BA pulls together everything that is quintessentially Audemars Piguet. It’s a QP, Royal Oak, on a bracelet, in precious metal, 39mm, thin, and most importantly, openworked. I have always had a fascination with open dials and you can actually see through this watch!

Wanted to also share some fun facts. The 25636 was produced between 1983-1993 and sold between 1986-1996. I believe this is how most watches are in general because production takes time. As collectors, we often forget that. In total, there were 264 examples of 25636s made — 126 in yellow gold (what mine is), 52 in steel, 49 in two-tone, 34 in platinum, and 3 in rose gold. Over the years, I’ve seen the steel, two-tone and platinum examples come up several times at auction and as much as I love them, I do think they can sometimes be a bit monotone and I felt the yellow gold was the warmest, liveliest, and most “period-correct”. There’s probably a good reason why it accounted for 48% of total production.

The other interesting part about the 25636 is that it is a non-leap year version, so you can’t tell what the leap year cycle is from the dial. There may be a way to tell based on the cross in the month wheel but I’ll need to confirm.

In 1989, the 25636BA retailed for $47,500. Not sure if AP reps gave discounts then, but it would have been the equivalent of about $105K today. IMO the current market does not understand this watch just yet. If you look at auction results, later leap-year openworked AP ROs like the 25829s from the 1990s regularly fetch stratospheric prices as do contemporary QP limited edition ROs, but the earlier 25636 is still massively undervalued. I believe that with the RO 50th anniversary looming and the overall increased interest in the brand, collectors will start to take notice.

In terms of a wrist review, it is just sublime. It’s absolutely perfect on my wrist and it just puts off special vintage vibes. I’ve left some pictures below, hope they come through — they are of the watch in different settings and different lighting. It’s very hard to photograph this watch!

If you even read my post up to here, I applaud you. I love this watch and could speak for hours about it. The journey to acquire it was fraught with multiple challenges and it took a long time to consummate. Thankfully, I had help from other experienced vintage collectors as well as passionate people from the brand itself. Words cannot describe how incredibly humbled I am to own a piece of AP history. Thanks for reading!

[huncho]

insane piece, you don't see these often. congrats

[XFi1382]

That's amazing, and nice story! Enjoy it!


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[Gladiat0r]

My goodness, what a watch! Thanks for sharing with us.

[EndlessEight]

Heavy hitter. Wow

[Willyjo]

That is simply exquisite.

Congratulations

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[BNA/LION]

I Love It! Congratulations!

[Neom]

Are you lebanese or just eating in a lebanese restaurant? Congrats on the amazing watch!

[jed11]

Sunning…showstopper.


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[Willyjo]

Originally Posted by Neom

Are you lebanese or just eating in a lebanese restaurant? Congrats on the amazing watch!

I also spied the Arabic mezze:)

Sahtain

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[Jaypremium]

Originally Posted by Raemondo

I haven’t posted in a long while nor have I celebrated my recent incomings on here, but this is a special one that I think some like-minded folks may enjoy.

The 25636BA is a sight to behold. It’s the very first openworked QP in a Royal Oak case, runs on the fabled 2120/2800 movement, and is absolutely perfect on the wrist at a mere 39mm. All the QPs in AP’s contemporary catalog are 41mms and are also thicker. I love the 41mms for the presence and legibility but with a 6.25” wrist, the 39mms like the Jumbo are always a better fit. AP also does not make an openworked QP in precious metal today…the closest being the 26585CE in ceramic, which is IMO the absolute #1 most beautiful AP watch today and a holy grail of mine.

I’ve been in love with this brand for a long time and this acquisition was significant for me because the 25636BA pulls together everything that is quintessentially Audemars Piguet. It’s a QP, Royal Oak, on a bracelet, in precious metal, 39mm, thin, and most importantly, openworked. I have always had a fascination with open dials and you can actually see through this watch!

Wanted to also share some fun facts. The 25636 was produced between 1983-1993 and sold between 1986-1996. I believe this is how most watches are in general because production takes time. As collectors, we often forget that. In total, there were 264 examples of 25636s made — 126 in yellow gold (what mine is), 52 in steel, 49 in two-tone, 34 in platinum, and 3 in rose gold. Over the years, I’ve seen the steel, two-tone and platinum examples come up several times at auction and as much as I love them, I do think they can sometimes be a bit monotone and I felt the yellow gold was the warmest, liveliest, and most “period-correct”. There’s probably a good reason why it accounted for 48% of total production.

The other interesting part about the 25636 is that it is a non-leap year version, so you can’t tell what the leap year cycle is from the dial. There may be a way to tell based on the cross in the month wheel but I’ll need to confirm.

In 1989, the 25636BA retailed for $47,500. Not sure if AP reps gave discounts then, but it would have been the equivalent of about $105K today. IMO the current market does not understand this watch just yet. If you look at auction results, later leap-year openworked AP ROs like the 25829s from the 1990s regularly fetch stratospheric prices as do contemporary QP limited edition ROs, but the earlier 25636 is still massively undervalued. I believe that with the RO 50th anniversary looming and the overall increased interest in the brand, collectors will start to take notice.

In terms of a wrist review, it is just sublime. It’s absolutely perfect on my wrist and it just puts off special vintage vibes. I’ve left some pictures below, hope they come through — they are of the watch in different settings and different lighting. It’s very hard to photograph this watch!

If you even read my post up to here, I applaud you. I love this watch and could speak for hours about it. The journey to acquire it was fraught with multiple challenges and it took a long time to consummate. Thankfully, I had help from other experienced vintage collectors as well as passionate people from the brand itself. Words cannot describe how incredibly humbled I am to own a piece of AP history. Thanks for reading!

Love your style of writing it kept me wanting to learn more about a watch i knew nothing about. Amazing pick up and theres no greater feeling then the hunt and the capture of finding your watch!


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[Vince_76]

Craz, timeless piece. I believe that’s what Pharrell wore in the Frontin video about 18 years ago, before AP was part of the pop culture lexicon.

[curare78]

Congratulations. Absolutely amazing piece!!!!

[Watchline]

Great watch, congrats

[1William]

Congratulations. A beautiful watch.

[m3tek44]

Holy smokes, congrats!

[www777]

Stunning!

[nyc2la]

Congrats again, my friend! Absolutely perfect. I can’t wait to see it in person. Wear and enjoy in the best of health.

[dcash0615]

Very nice! Enjoy

[burakusta]

Incredible

[VogelPhoenix]

One of the greatest!

[slawa]

wow, congrats

[GeraldGentaFan]

Congratulations, amazing piece.

[Burlington]

Congratulations!

Another wonderful watch

[SoylentGreenChi]

Wow! Definitely a special one. Congrats and wear in good health!

[GWL2]

Now that is an incoming! Congrats!


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[lovewatches1987]

Huge congratulations ��

[squall1]

Stunning, congrats...and thank you for the write-up, I enjoyed every word.

[Colin W]

Big congrats - looks epic!
Well researched, enjoyed the history.


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