SOLD – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15500ST.OO.1220ST.03

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15500ST.OO.1220ST.03. Steel 41mm case with screw-down crown, glare-proofed sapphire crystal and see-through case back. Water resistant to 50 meters. Black “Grande Tapisserie” pattern dial, long white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands, all with luminescent coating, date window at the 3 o’clock position. Minute-track printed inside the Tapisserie pattern. Automatic AP Calibre 3120 movement, 40 jewels, 3Hz frequency, 60-hour power reserve. Steel bracelet with AP-signed, folding clasp. With its instantly recognisable octagonal shape, this lovely Royal Oak is as fresh as the day it left the Audemars Piguet Manufacture in Le Brassus. It makes a great statement not only in any sporting environment but also in every kind of formal situation Box and papers January 2019.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, introduced in 1972, revolutionized luxury watchmaking with its bold design. Created by legendary designer Gérald Genta, the Royal Oak was the first stainless steel luxury sports watch, breaking away from the traditional gold and precious metal timepieces of the era. Its distinctive octagonal bezel, exposed screws, and integrated bracelet made it instantly recognizable. The watch was initially met with skepticism due to its high price and unconventional materials, but it soon became an icon, symbolizing a shift towards more casual, yet luxurious, timepieces. Audemars Piguet, a Swiss watchmaker founded in 1875, had been known for its fine complications, and the Royal Oak helped solidify its reputation in the luxury sports watch market. Over the decades, the Royal Oak has evolved into a symbol of prestige, combining craftsmanship, innovative design, and exceptional mechanical movements.