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 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.
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Grade
M 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$6,000 – $12,000
The Details
Brand
Audemars Piguet
Dimensions
33mm
Model
Royal Oak
Movement
Quartz cal. 2612
Reference
56143SA
Bracelet
18kt yellow gold and stainless steel
Year
Circa 1980s
Condition
Excellent
Material
18kt yellow gold and stainless steel
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Black
THE DIAL
Featuring the Royal Oak's standard 'Petite Tapisserie" and a dark black, this example's dial serves as a reminder of just how well AP executes the finer details of their timepieces.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Arguably one of the most recognizable timepieces in all of watchmaking, the Royal Oak's angular case, octagonal bezel, integrated bracelet and iconic dial combine to create a timepiece that wears on the wrist with a sense of style that watchmakers have been trying to emulate ever since the watch was originally launched in 1972.
THE PROFILE
Thanks to its quartz movement, this example takes the Royal Oak's already-thin profile and makes it even thinner for a wonderfully comfortable wearing experience.
Condition
Watch is in excellent overall condition. Case has sharp chamfered edges and only minor surface wear visible. Dial in excellent condition, with minor oxidation visible along the indexes and tapisserie surface of the dial. Luminous on hands are slightly darker than the dial indexes. Please note that the bezel screw heads were installed improperly and not properly aligned. Bracelet has 23 links, 10 of which are removable. There is minor stretch.
Our Perspective
As iconic as it gets, this Royal Oak's two-tone yellow gold and stainless steel construction, beautiful dial, and comfortable fit on the wrist have set it up nicely to fit into whatever watch collection it finds itself in.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
