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ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 264
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Incoming 25636BA QP Openworked
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! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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IG: @jardin_des_rois |
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#2 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: nyc
Posts: 6,577
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insane piece, you don't see these often. congrats
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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Around the globe
Posts: 30
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That's amazing, and nice story! Enjoy it!
![]() Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 477
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My goodness, what a watch! Thanks for sharing with us.
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#5 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NJ, USA
Watch: Hulk, BLRO
Posts: 1,618
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Heavy hitter. Wow
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#6 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,315
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That is simply exquisite.
Congratulations Sent from my SM-G985F using Tapatalk |
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#7 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2011
Real Name: Larry
Location: San Diego, CA
Watch: ROLEX
Posts: 25,294
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I Love It! Congratulations!
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![]() ✦ 28238 President DD 18K/YG ✦ 16610LN SS Sub ✦ 16613 18K/SS Serti ✦ 16550 Exp II Non-Rail Cream Dial ✦ Daytona C 116500 ✦ 126710 BLRO GMT-Master II ✦ NEXT-->? ⛳ Hole In One! 10/3/19 DMCC 5th hole, par 3, 168 yards w/ 4-Iron. ![]() |
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#8 |
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: .
Posts: 134
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Are you lebanese or just eating in a lebanese restaurant? Congrats on the amazing watch!
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#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: West Side
Posts: 2,652
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#10 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,315
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#11 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: New york
Posts: 259
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Quote:
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! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Orange County
Posts: 1,801
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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.
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: USA
Watch: All of them
Posts: 231
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Congratulations. Absolutely amazing piece!!!!
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#14 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2021
Location: USA
Watch: Omega, Hulk
Posts: 86
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Great watch, congrats
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#15 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 46,630
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Congratulations. A beautiful watch.
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#16 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Bay Area, CA
Watch: this
Posts: 1,269
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Holy smokes, congrats!
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#17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: At Home
Posts: 1,268
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Stunning!
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#18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Real Name: Stephen
Location: Beach
Watch: 16660
Posts: 9,290
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Congrats again, my friend! Absolutely perfect. I can’t wait to see it in person. Wear and enjoy in the best of health.
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"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." --- RWE |
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#19 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: Dave
Location: CA
Watch: es
Posts: 4,392
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Very nice! Enjoy
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Instagram @dcash0615 2FA security active |
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Bu
Location: World
Watch: Audemars piguet
Posts: 351
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Incredible
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#21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 3,812
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One of the greatest!
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#22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: new york
Posts: 201
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wow, congrats
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#23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Real Name: Mark
Location: Europe
Posts: 644
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Congratulations, amazing piece.
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#24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Europe
Posts: 5,641
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Incoming 25636BA QP Openworked
Congratulations!
Another wonderful watch
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“My tastes are simple; I am easily satisfied with the best.” ― Winston S. Churchill |
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#25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: États-Unis
Watch: Patek, Rolex, Sinn
Posts: 900
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Wow! Definitely a special one. Congrats and wear in good health!
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#26 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Columbus
Watch: 116610ln, 116710ln
Posts: 869
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Now that is an incoming! Congrats!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
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#27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 129
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Huge congratulations
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#28 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 461
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Stunning, congrats...and thank you for the write-up, I enjoyed every word.
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#29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,314
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Big congrats - looks epic!
Well researched, enjoyed the history. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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