AP Royal Oak Buying Guide

What makes the 34 MM Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Timepieces so Special?

The 34mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch carries several special attributes that make it stand out in the world of luxury timepieces:

Iconic Design: The Royal Oak watch is celebrated for its revolutionary design by renowned watch designer Gerald Genta. Its octagonal bezel with exposed screws and the distinct "tapisserie" pattern on the dial set it apart as an instantly recognizable and iconic watch.

Versatile Size: The 34mm size is considered more versatile and gender-neutral, making it suitable for a broader range of wrist sizes. It offers a refined and understated appearance, ideal for those who appreciate subtlety in luxury.

Materials: Audemars Piguet crafts the Royal Oak from premium materials. Commonly, it features stainless steel for the case and bracelet, but it's also available in luxurious options like rose gold and white gold. The combination of materials and finishes creates a stunning visual contrast.

Craftsmanship: Audemars Piguet is renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship. Each Royal Oak watch is hand-finished and assembled by skilled artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and attention to detail.

Movement: The 34mm Royal Oak is equipped with high-precision mechanical movements, often featuring the brand's in-house calibers. These movements are known for their accuracy and durability, reflecting Audemars Piguet's commitment to horological excellence.

Rarity: While the Royal Oak is a popular watch, certain variations and limited-edition models can be quite rare and highly sought after by collectors, adding to its allure.

Unique Features: The Royal Oak offers various unique features depending on the model. Some versions have complications like chronographs or moon phases, while others incorporate precious gemstones for added opulence. The "Grande Tapisserie" dial pattern is a distinctive feature found on many Royal Oak models.

Legacy: The Royal Oak has a rich history, dating back to 1972 when it was first introduced. It played a pivotal role in redefining luxury sports watches and has since become an enduring symbol of sophistication and style.

History: The Evolution of the 34MM Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 

The history of Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak watches is a tale of innovation, risk-taking, and enduring success. Introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was a groundbreaking creation that defied industry norms and became the flagship model of Audemars Piguet. Designed by the legendary Gérald Genta, the first Royal Oak model marked a significant departure from convention during the Quartz crisis, setting a new standard for luxury sports watches.

At its debut, the Royal Oak's defining features included an octagonal bezel, a fully integrated bracelet, and a unique dial pattern known as 'waffle-print' or 'tapisserie.' Most notably, it was crafted from stainless steel, a material considered unconventional for luxury watches at the time. The initial release, known as the Reference 5402, had a limited run of 1,000 pieces, which took over a year to sell. However, once it gained traction, the Royal Oak's popularity soared, with thousands more models produced for general sale.

The move to embrace stainless steel proved to be a masterstroke, and Audemars Piguet continued to innovate within the Royal Oak line. In 1981, they introduced the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, featuring an automatic movement with a perpetual calendar function, eliminating the need for manual date adjustments even during leap years. This model also housed the Calibre 2120/2800 movement, making it the world's thinnest of its kind at the time.

In 1984, the Royal Oak Day/Date Moonphase offered a slightly dressier alternative while maintaining the Royal Oak's signature aesthetics. This model featured three sub-dials, displaying the day, date, and moon phase indicator.

Despite the introduction of the sportier Royal Oak Offshore collection in 1993, Audemars Piguet remained faithful to the main Royal Oak line. The Reference 15202, affectionately known as the Royal Oak 'Jumbo,' emerged as the collection's most popular model. It paid homage to the original 1972 model, featuring the same Calibre 2121 movement and a similar case design. In 2012, an updated version of the Reference 15202 was released, further aligning it with the original design.

Throughout the years, Audemars Piguet continued to innovate within the Royal Oak collection. In 2002, they introduced the Royal Oak Concept, an ultra-robust version utilizing aerospace-grade alacrite 602. In 2010, the Royal Oak Equation of Time was unveiled, showcasing a perpetual calendar, moon phase indicator, sunrise and sunset indicator, and a solar time function.