Launched in 1972, Audemars Piguet’s 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. Today the Royal Oak is a legend, accounting for over 80% of the brand’s sales. Audemars Piguet sought famed designer Gerald 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 a very fine “petite tapisserie” motif. The Royal Oak was an immediate sensation, and while originally there was scepticism, today it is an icon model that has for over 50 years pleased collectors for both its design and engineering.

The present Royal Oak 5402 “Series A” is a very early example with the case number 137. The ref. 5402 was produced in several different batches across A, B, C and D case numbers with small design details that made each subtly different. They house the extra slim caliber 2121 based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 920, that would later be used for Patek Philippe’s Nautilus wristwatch and Vacheron Constantin’s 222.

Consigned by the original owner, this Royal Oak features the distinctive “AP’”logo positioned at 6 o’clock, with later models having the brand logo at the 12 o’clock position. The dial is all the more desirable and further enhanced due to its beautiful “tropical” aging with light copper accents in the center. The watch was fully serviced by Audemars Piguet in 2021 and is in lovely overall condition.

The Royal Oak is an iconic horological gem that is highly popular and collectible, and this fresh-to-the-market, early example is a wonderful addition to any collection.