Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1993 Reference No: 14813BC Movement No: 387'349 Case No: D16993 Model Name: Royal Oak Material: 18K white gold, diamonds and aventurine Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2125, 33 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 175mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Extract from the Archives confirming sale of the present watch in 1993 to the United States.
Catalogue Essay
Throughout its almost 50 years of existence, the Royal Oak has been imagined with a variety of case and dial combinations. Audemars Piguet did not take any short cuts in designing this incredibly glamorous and iconic sports luxury watch.
The hefty white gold case is in absolutely superb condition with strong crisp bevels and deep hallmarks on the caseback. The bezel is delicately set with diamonds but the star of the show, so to speak, is the drop dead gorgeous aventurine dial, a form of quartz, characterized by its translucency and the presence of mineral inclusions that make the dial resemble a starry night sky, giving the watch a theatrical and sophisticated appearance.
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.