Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 1978 Reference No: 5402 Movement No: 186'857 Case No: C1969, inside caseback stamped B3969 Model Name: Royal Oak "C Series" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2121/1, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet stamped "AP" to the endlinks, max length 175mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 39mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, clasp and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
According to the Archives of Audemars Piguet, the present watch was sold in Singapore in 1978.
Launched in 1972, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was the world’s first stainless steel luxury sports watch with a fully integrated bracelet. Designed overnight in response to an urgent request for an ‘unprecedented steel watch’, it was at the same time the most expensive stainless steel watch ever made. The brand sought famed designer Gerald Genta, who developed a brilliantly engineered, monoblock case, with a distinctively maritime feel, featuring an octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal, white gold screws, and a dial with tapisserie motif. While today the Royal Oak is a legend, accounting for over 70% of the brand’s sales, at the beginning it was more than a bet, it was a true visionary revolution, the first appearance of what is today's most successful kind of wristwatch: the luxury sport watch in steel.
The present specimen is a representative of the C series, and is distinguished by its superior overall condition. Most notably, the case presents very sharp facets and edges, maintaining unadulterated all of its original details. An intriguing detail is found on the bracelet endlinks, which feature the AP logo, a quirk found only on few examples of the model.
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.
