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Audemars Piguet's Tradition d'Excellence Collection
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
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
Audemars Piguet's Tradition d'Excellence Collection
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 Gu...
5 for me also.
no 'grand complications' watches -should of been nine. ref 25996 pt version would be my other choice the ti version ...
As you like no. 5, you might also enjoy the Millenary Carbon One
Ref. 26152AU.OO.D002CR.01 https://www.gphg.org/fr/watches/tourbillon-chronographe-millenary-carbon-one credit: motions in time ...
I know a place that has this Ti version for sale...
Let's see if I can go and listen to it.
I'm not sure what you mean by
"no 'grand complications' watches - sould of been nine" 🤔 My personal favorites are 1 & 3. Best, Emmanuel
Memories!
the movement on that Edward is quite something heavy involvement by Renaud & Papi if I remember correctly
The Millenary is awesome!
I like the Edward Piguet too. I don't recall seeing it before. To my eye, the lugs look too narrow on the Jules Audemars pieces. Thanks for posting. M4
As you like the Millenary,
you might also enjoy its kind of "successor": the Millenary Carbon One, ref. 26152AU.OO.D002CR.01 https://www.gphg.org/fr/watches/tourbillon-chronographe-millenary-carbon-one Best, Emmanuel credit: motions in time ...
Yes, I remember this one.
I never liked the pairing with a croc strap but otherwise thought it was cool.
Bravo Emmanuel 👍 another amazing post 😊
I knew finding a picture of the Cabinet would not be easy 😋 Thank You 🙏
Thank you, Salman and
huge congratulations on your 10k post! Always such a pleasure to interact with you. Best, Emmanuel
I wonder what were the remaining three.
The movements in these looks stunning..., but they are (cases) all quite large.
"Quite large" is an understatement: they're almost gigantic!
I think the remaining three were never made. The project seems to have been left aside after 2006. Best, Emmanuel
Tradition d'Excellence Collection at the Audemars Piguet Museum
All these Pictures were taken on the Purists visit to Audemars Piguet in September? 2006 Emmanuel, I found the Cabinet 😊 ...
Sensational! Thank you so much, Salman!
I was far from imagining such a huge and wonderful cabinet! I hope I'll be able to visit someday. Thank you so much. Best, Emmanuel
My Pleasure 😊🙏, at the time, the whole series with Cabinet would run...
CHF 6 million, with the series ending at 5, maybe AP will revisit and finish the series 😊, One can Hope.
I find it remarkable that the dedicated showcases for pieces no. 6, 7 & 8 exist !
Hopefully, AP will fill these 3 display stands someday!
I have a Theory
Just Speculation on my part, the series started in 1999, a different time, 5 series made out of 8, 20 pieces each, how many at that time would have committed to buying the full 8 pieces? One or Two collectors maybe Three at the most. My Theory is they mad...
Interesting theory, Salman!
You might very well be right. But wouldn't AP be proud of showing these pieces in their museum along with the others?