Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1972 Reference No: 5402 ST Case No: A 1611 Model Name: Royal Oak 'A Series' Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2121, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet, max. length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 39mm diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Audemars Piguet green leather octagonal presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The 1970s was a decade of turbulence in politics, culture, fashion, and even horology. The traditional role of watchmaking was giving way to quartz powered movements, and haute horologie needed new avenues to attract old customers as well as new. Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak was a model, which was masculine, sporty and fit with a growing recreational lifestyle. While sales were sluggish in the beginning, the Royal Oak today is an icon amongst so many others. The stainless steel monoblock case, with integrated bracelet and octagonal bezel has a maritime feel, and is a pleasure to behold when wearing.
This Royal Oak is in excellent original condition, with sharp lug bevels and original factory finish. The dial with the ‘AP’ logo at the six position denotes its early ‘A Series’ designation. The dial is beginning to go ‘tropical’ with a warm brownish hue appearing in the upper quadrant. A well preserved example, this timepiece makes an excellent addition to collection based on icons.
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.