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.

Launched in 2000 and then reissued in 2012, the ref. 15202ST that we have here hit the nail on the head with regards to offering the Royal Oak’s iconic design in a modern package. Boasting the Royal Oak’s original 39mm dimensions and powered by the same automatic AP cal. 2121 movement that was in the ref. 5402ST, the ref. 15202ST replicated the original Royal Oak ref. 5402ST in just about every meaningful way, except with modern craftsmanship, quality, and attention to detail. Boasting the Royal Oak’s iconic Petite Tapisserie dial and signature integrated bracelet, the ref. 15202ST acts as the ref. 5402ST's modern counterpart. While this might seem like a non-issue, it is a testament to just how iconic the Royal Oak is that AP would decide to basically reissue it with a modern reference that was almost entirely authentic to the original. Since discontinued for the ref. 16202ST that makes several modernizing changes, the ref. 15202ST is the closest you can get to the original Royal Oak while enjoying modern creature comforts.