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Lot #1885

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Diamond and Ruby Set Ladies 14587BA

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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.

Loupe This Scorecard

Grade

M 8.5

Status

Vetted & Approved

Included

Watch Only

Est. value range

$10,000 – $20,000

The Details

Brand

Audemars Piguet

Dimensions

33mm x 8.6mm

Model

Royal Oak

Movement

Automatic cal. 2140

Reference

14587BA

Bracelet

18kt yellow gold bracelet

Year

Circa 1990s

Condition

Excellent

Material

18kt yellow gold

Included

Watch only

Dial Color

Gold with diamond-set pave and ruby hour markers

THE DIAL

While the Royal Oak's tapisserie dial is one of the hallmarks of its design, this ref. 14587BA's pave dial makes for an incredible aesthetic, with the texture of the gold underneath allowing its diamonds and ruby-set hour markers to really pop.

THE CONSTRUCTION

Offered as a 33mm option, the ref. 14587BA is larger on the wrist than one might assume, with its integrated 18kt yellow gold bracelet and diamond set bezel and dial giving the watch the appearance of a slightly larger watch, making it perfect in the context of contemporary fashion.

TIMING MACHINE READOUT

This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.

Condition

Watch is in excellent overall condition. Case is sharp with small surface wear, there is some light oxidation on the gold surface between some of the links. Diamond bezel showing minimal wear on the edges. The pave set dial with 10 ruby indexes is in near-mint condition. Bracelet has 21 links, 7 which are removable. There is minimal stretch.

Our Perspective

A watch that far exceeds the Royal Oak's original tool watch design brief, the ref. 14587BA is an ultra-luxurious variant of the Royal Oak that showcases just how truly versatile the iconic timepiece is.

Eric Ku

Co-founder