As I write this, I see Malaika’s also chosen a 1:1 replica Audemars Piguet QP. And not only that, but a white gold Royal Oak, with a yellow dial that honestly, I didn’t know existed before today.
To me, this ref. 25668 represents nearly the polar opposite of AP QPs. Swiss made fake Audemars Piguet UK has always been THE perpetual calendar maker (but don’t listen to me, take it from Stacey). In 1978, AP introduced the ref. 5548, the first ultra-thin perpetual calendar. I’m one of those enthusiasts who fetishizes firsts, and I’ve always loved the perfect replica Audemars Piguet QP for this reason. It ushered in an entire era of ultra-thin QPs; soon, Patek, Vacheron, and a legion of others would follow with their own ultra-thin perpetuals.
But the luxury replica Audemars Piguet, designed by Jacqueline Dimier, something of a protege to Gérald Genta, is still my favorite.
According to Swiss movement fake Audemars Piguet, it produced about 7,200 perpetual calendars over a 15-year period (including Royal Oak QPs) from 1978 through the early ’90s. Only 79 of these were the platinum ref. 25668, making this one of the rarer of the more than 70 references and 200 high quality copy Audemars Piguet QP variations from this era.
No, it doesn’t have the size or heft of a cheap super clone Audemars Piguet Royal Oak UK, especially one with a bright yellow dial. But somehow it manages a wrist presence all its own. Most of this is thanks to the impressive skeletonization, which surely would’ve been like shouting at those quartz disruptors in the ’80s: “This is mechanical watchmaking, and it’s here to stay!” And now, I love this thing even more, knowing it somehow existed alongside a bright yellow Audemars Piguet Royal Oak replica for sale.