Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1993 Reference No: 14813BC.ZZ.0789BC.06 Movement No: 387'354 Case No: D16'988 Model Name: Royal Oak Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2225, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18k white gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 220mm Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold Audemars Piguet deployant clasp stamped "012" Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Extract de Registre confirming sale on 2nd January 1993,Timepiece life & Care booklet, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The Royal Oak was a breakthrough from what the creations of traditional Swiss watch manufacturers looked like up until the early 1970s, it was instrumental in paving the way to luxury steel watches.
However, through the past (almost) 50 years of its existence the Royal Oak has was made in more luxurious versions like the present example. Audemars Piguet didn’t take any short cuts in designing this watch as an incredibly glamorous version of its 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, characterised by its translucency and the presence of platy mineral inclusions that make the dial resemble a starry night sky giving the watch a theatrical and sophisticated appearance.
According to Audemars Piguet reference 14813's was made with 12 different dials, the most common being the version with lapis lazuli.
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.
