Audemars Piguet's introduction of the Royal Oak marked the beginning of the luxury sports watch market we know today. Launched in 1972 at Basel Fair, it caused an immediate sensation as the watch industry had never seen anything comparable before. It was at the time the most expensive steel wristwatch available. It most notably housed the extra slim caliber 2121 based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 920, that would later be found in the Nautilus wristwatch. Today, the Royal Oak remains as iconic as ever, with early examples being exceedingly popular and collectible.

Production of the reference 5402 spanned 25 years, with a total of 6,050 examples manufactured, in four different batches: A, B, C and D with small design details that made each slightly different. Within the A series, approximately 2,000 examples were made between 1972 until 1974.

Known as the "A Series", the present watch is the original Royal Oak model first debuted in 1972. Offered in a well-preserved condition with strong case and sharp bezel, the present "A series" Royal Oak is an astonishing specimen that features all period correct components. Beautifully aged with luminous material that has developed a dark yellow hue, the blue dial with the applied “AP” logo at 6 o’clock with SWISS only inscription has aged with slight copper tropical details near the applied indexes. The Gay Freres bracelet not only displays sharp finishes, it is also stamped with “1.72” on the clasp indicating it is from first quarter of 1972. Accompanied with its original certificate, the timepiece was sold in Japan in 1973. A wonderful specimen of an icon in all aspects, the present reference 5402 “A Series” is a spectacular example thanks to its state of preservation.