Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1978 Reference No: 5402ST Movement No: 174'180 Case No: B3593 further stamped C 1593 on the caseback Model Name: Royal Oak "C Series" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2121, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 39mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet fitted box and undated/unsigned Guarantee
Catalogue Essay
According to Audemars Piguet archives the present watch was made in 1978 and sold to Belgium.
At first glance what impresses most in the present “C Series” ref 5402 is its excellent state of preservation and absolutely superb blue dial with specks of copper depending on the angle of the light shining on it.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is certainly one of the best known and recognizable timepieces of all time. It was a game changer in 1972 when it was launched and without its success, the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Vacheron Constantin 222 and the large number of stainless steel leisure luxury watches from haute horlogerie brands launched in recent years may simply never have existed.
The Royal Oak model reference 5402 has been produced in four different batches: A, B, C and D with small design details that made each subtly different. Presented in excellent condition, the present "C series" Royal Oak houses the extra slim calibre 2121 based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 920.
The dial is preserved in excellent condition with the AP logo at 6 o'clock as correctly found on any A and B Series as well as some C Series.
A wonderful specimen of an icon in all aspects, the present reference 5402 “C Series” will delight thanks to its state of preservation.
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.