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 Gérald Genta, who developed a brilliantly engineered, monobloc 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, 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 Royal Oak model reference 5402ST has been produced in four different batches: A, B, C and D with small design details that made each slightly different.
The reference 5402 remained in the Audemars Piguet Catalogues for 25 years and was produced in 6,050 examples over the different series.
The current Royal Oak in 18-karat white gold is one of the most sought-after variations of the original reference 5402 – popularly known as the "Jumbo." This reference 5402BC is one of just 150 thought to have been made by the company. Its exquisite heaviness, crafted from 18-karat gold, is striking, especially when contrasted to ordinary manufacturing stainless steel models. Its unique, octagonal bezel measures 39mm in diameter and is fastened by mirror-polished, white gold hexagonal screws that provide an attractive, eye-catching contrast to the brushed polished bezel. The captivating black dial showcases a mini guilloché-"tapisserie" pattern which creates a sense of deepness when contrasted against its diamond hour markers and white gold case. The present timepiece has further kept its original color on the dial, rigidity and proportions on the case, the hallmarks are crisp, and the bracelet further retains its rigidity. For collectors of premium sports watches, the current lot represents a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
