Emmanuel, known as quattro on WatchProSite, delves into the Audemars Piguet Tradition d'Excellence Collection, also recognized as the "Cabinet Series." His detailed post illuminates this ultra-exclusive series of highly complicated timepieces, offering a rare glimpse into a significant chapter of Audemars Piguet's horological innovation. This article synthesizes community insights, making a decade-old discussion relevant for today's collectors interested in AP's most ambitious creations.
Introduced in 1999, the Audemars Piguet Tradition d'Excellence Collection aka "Cabinet" Series is a collection of 8 highly complicated watches, each limited to 20 pieces, of which only 5 have been produced, the last one in 2006.
According to Watch Guru, not only was each reference limited to 20 pieces, but you only had the option to buy them if you subscribed to the whole series!
The name "Cabinet Series" refers to the specially made wooden cabinet with compartments designed to house all 8 of these exceptional horological creations.
Best, Emmanuel
1/ CABINET PIECE No. 1, JULES AUDEMARS ref. 25923PT/O/0022CR/01 (1999)
Tourbillon, Minute repeater and Rattrapante Chronograph
44 x 15 mm platinum case & caliber 2876
credit:
Watch Guru &
Antiquorum
2/ CABINET PIECE NO. 2, JULES AUDEMARS ref. 25948PT/O/0022CR/01 (2000 or 2001)
Minute repeater, Perpetual calendar with 'Big-date' display, Leap year indicator and One-minute Tourbillon regulator
43 x 14 mm platinum case & caliber 2869
credit:
Watch Guru & Antiquorum (
here &
there)
3/ CABINET PIECE NO. 3, EDWARD PIGUET ref. 25958PT/O/0002CR/01 (2002)
First Tourbillon Chronograph to utilise a central totalizer, power reserve and mainspring ''Torque Indicator'', aka "Dynamograph", famously used in the Richard Mille grand complications.
36,8 x 30,4 x 8,9 mm platinum case & caliber 2894
credit:
Christie's (first photo) &
Watch Guru
Review by Tim Mosso
4/ CABINET PIECE NO. 4, ROYAL OAK ref. 25969PT.00.1105PT.01 (year?)
Hand-wound
Tourbillon Chronograph with a
10-day power reserve and
Dual Power Reserve Indication:
- A 120-degree track spans the lower part of the dial to point out the very substantial 10-day power reserve.
- On the last day, a subdial below the 30-minute register takes over, providing a high resolution reading of the power reserve over the final 24 hours of running time.
5/ CABINET PIECE NO. 5, MILLENARY ref. 26066PT.OO.D028CR.01 (2006)
Perpetual Calendar with Deadbeat Seconds and Power-Reserve Indication
This watch incorporates two significant new features:
- The new escapement is inspired by the Robin escapement and has direct single impulse.
- The dual balance spring is another innovation, the balance springs mounted one above the other eliminate defects linked to the vertical watch position, the same effect as a tourbillon.
47 x 42 x 15,81 mm platinum case & caliber 2899
credit:
Ticking Way (1-7),
Antiquorum (8) &
Sotheby's 
