For over 50 years, the watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet Replica has captivated the watch industry with its extraordinary Royal Oak model. The Swiss designer Gérald Genta supposedly came up with the legendary timepiece in just one night. The design of the first sports watch in the luxury price segment caused a stir in 1972 due to its bold design and size – a diameter of 39 millimeters was still considered oversized at the time.
Royal Oak: 50 years of Royal Oak
In 2022, Audemars Piguet celebrated 50 years of Royal Oak: This was honored, among other things, with a new, ultra-thin “Jumbo” made of stainless steel, platinum, rose or yellow gold – for special fans there is also a skeletonized version.
With their numerous limited special editions, the Royal Oak and the sporty Offshore are among the most sought-after timepieces in the luxury watch industry. The implementation of the models – from elegant to sporty – is also reflected in the choice of case material: the variations are countless, from carbon to yellow gold to ceramic.
A Swiss watch manufacturer in a pioneering role
Audemars Piguet’s innovative power is evident in the complex complications with which the Royal Oak collection is partly equipped, from the Royal Oak Chronograph to the Perpetual Calendar. But also in skeletonized versions such as the AP Royal Oak Skeleton.
The design of the Royal Oak: tapestry and octagonal bezel
The design of the Royal Oak is characterized by the octagonal bezel, the tapered dial and the integrated bracelet that tapers towards the clasp. Eight screws hold the glass edge and the rubber seal to the body. The hexagon heads are countersunk in the bezel and are tightened from the case back. The first models were equipped with a monobloc case, which means there was no clamped or screwed case back.
The Grande Tapisserie can be found on numerous Royal Oaks (including references 15300, 15400, 15450, reference 26320 with chronograph function, 26330 with date display, 26120 with second time zone, 26252 with perpetual calendar, 26603 with equation of time and 25977 with tourbillon/chronograph).