Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 2002 Reference No: 14790ST.OO.0789ST.11 Movement No: 536'169 Case No: E81710.7826 Model Name: Royal Oak Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2225, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet Royal Oak bracelet, max length 170mm. Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet folding deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: With Audemars Piguet fitted presentation box, product literature and Certificate of Origin dated 2002.
Catalogue Essay
Audemars Piguet constantly reinvents the existing Royal Oak design, and has always provided interesting and unusual updates to complement its essential design. From producing lavishly diamond-studded masterpieces, to striking Yves Klein blue tapisserie dials, Audemars Piguet continually innovates by providing creative and fresh twists to the iconic model.
The present watch is a completely novel and interesting interpretation of the Royal Oak. In lieu of the classic ivory or dark colored dial is a "Ferrari" red dial with luminous hands and markers, which is incredibly eye catching and surprising. This watch displays Audemars Piguet's innovative use of color, and the firm's willingness to undertake daring design challenges.
We are incredibly pleased to offer the present watch along with the following lot, a "Ferrari" red Royal Oak Offshore. Both watches make a bold statement about both Audemars Piguet and the collector who dons the timepiece. While we regrettably cannot confirm that these watches are unique examples, we can declare with great certainty, that we have not come across any watches with the present dial configuration in the past.
Presented in excellent condition, this watch displays all the tells of a wonderfully preserved Royal Oak wristwatch. From the sharp and straight factory finishes on the bezel, to the crisp bevels on the edge of the bracelet, one can only admire Audemars Piguet's painstaking care in its finishing. The watch is furthermore accompanied by its original certificate, stating the watch was retailed at Orologeria Pisa in Milan, Italy, the home of car racing. It is entirely possible that the client ordered these watches to compliment his or her racing automobile.
A specialist in the manufacture of complications since it was established in 1881, Audemars Piguet never ceases to impress with a rich history of creating bold, even audacious, timepieces underpinned by traditional watchmaking at its finest. This Le Brassus-based Swiss manufacturer is one of only two major manufacturers still owned by the founding family. Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches. The brand is devoted to preserving the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, showcased at their superb museum in Le Brassus.
Today, the brand is best known for its Royal Oak models, a revolutionary luxury sports watch launched in 1972. Other key models include early minute repeating wristwatches, vintage chronograph wristwatches, such as the oversized reference 5020, perpetual calendar watches and the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced in 1993.
Ref. 14790ST.OO.0789ST.11 A fine and very rare stainless steel wristwatch with date, red dial, bracelet, fitted presentation box and original certificate
2002 36mm. Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed