Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 25860ST Tropical Dial

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.

The 25860 ST was launched in 1998, and was the only chronograph to be made in the Royal Oak case (aside from the Emmanuel Gueit designed Offshore chronograph which was released in 1993). Featuring an F. Piguet movement, the 25860 was available in a myriad of color combinations and case materials. Also known as the ‘Kasparov’, it is christened after, and a favorite of, the Chess grandmaster, Garry Kasparov, who is widely considered to be the greatest chess player of all time and was a long-time AP ambassador.

The Dial

A classic example of the Audemars Piguet tapisserie dial, showcased here in black but with a golden shimmer at its center thanks to its attractively tropicalized core.

The Profile

Angular and geometric, the Royal Oak design by Gerald Genta has become a bona fide icon. This one retains all the sharp finishings that Audemars Piguet is known for and includes the ever-angular pushers that make the Royal Oak’s chronograph variant stand out all the more.

Condition

Watch is in very good overall condition. Case has surface wear and scratches visible on the bracelet, case, and bezel. The dial is showing a tropical effect, with the brass plate showing through the anodized blue surface. The bracelet has 19 links, 1 of which is removable. The band exhibits minor stretch. It is sized to fit a smaller wrist.