First introduced in 1972, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak stands as one of the defining wristwatch designs of the 20th century. Released at the height of the quartz crisis, this groundbreaking steel timepiece—priced higher than any other in its category—was initially expected by many to lead the company into financial ruin. Yet, over the past five decades, the Royal Oak has become the driving force behind Audemars Piguet’s success, evolving into its signature product line.

The current offering, an 18-karat white gold Royal Oak, is among the rarest iterations of the original reference 5402, affectionately known as the “Jumbo.” Measuring 39mm in diameter, the watch’s iconic octagonal bezel is secured by mirror-polished white gold hexagonal screws, which create a striking visual contrast against the brushed finish of the bezel.

This particular 5402 is one of the earliest white gold "Jumbo" Royal Oaks, distinguished by the No.7 engraved on the caseback. Its dial features discreet diamond hour markers that subtly illuminate the design without overwhelming its elegance. Adding to its allure is the exquisite "tropical" golden hue of the dial—a highly coveted and rare characteristic.

The present lot is fresh-to-market, recently acquired by the consignor directly from the original owner. Offered as a complete set, which is exceptionally rare given its age, this piece includes its original Audemars Piguet certificate, manuals, a recently ordered extract (2024), and the original octagonal leather presentation box with outer packaging.