1/13
Lot #1147

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quartz Stainless Steel 56175ST

How do I bid? Start here

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.

Loupe This Scorecard

Grade

V 8.5

Status

Vetted & Approved

Included

Watch Only

Est. value range

$8,000 – $10,000

The Details

Brand

Audemars Piguet

Dimensions

33mm

Model

Royal Oak

Movement

Quartz

Reference

56175ST

Bracelet

Stainless Steel

Year

Circa late 1980s to early 1990s

Condition

Very Good

Material

Stainless Steel bracelet

Included

Watch Only

Dial Color

Black

THE DIAL

Featuring the Royal Oak's standard 'Petite Tapisserie" and a stunning shade of black, this example's dial serves as a reminder of just how well AP executes the finer details of their timepieces.

THE CONSTRUCTION

Thanks to its quartz movement, the ref. 56175ST takes the Royal Oak's already-thin case and makes it even thinner for a wonderfully comfortable wearing experience.

THE CASEBACK

The D prefix serial number denotes a watch manufactured in the late 1980s to early 1990s.

Condition

Watch is in overall excellent condition. Dial appears to be free of any imperfections. Bezel and bracelet have very light hairline scratches consistent with careful use. There appear to be no signs of previous polishing. A total of 21 links present, 9 of them are removable.

Our Perspective

Made of stainless steel, the ref. 56175ST aided in popularizing the Royal Oak as it got collectors used to a luxury stainless steel timepiece from a brand like AP thanks to its smaller proportions and less expensive quartz movement.

Justin Gruenberg

Co-founder