Lot 40

Audemars Piguet

Royal Oak Automatic

A stunning vintage Geneva wristwatch with date and tropical dial - "cult" watch from the "C" series with Audemars Piguet extract from the archives

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When the Royal Oak was launched in 1972, its unusual design with octagonal bezel, "tapisserie" dial and integrated bracelet was considered extremely novel and unorthodox – and it made the watch a true modern style icon.
The first Royal Oak series consisted of 1,000 pieces. After another series of 1,000 pieces with the serial number "A", Audemars Piguet continued with "B" and "C" series etc..
This fine Royal Oak model is a rare and extremely well looked-after example from the "C" series, which still maintains its original condition and charm. The edges on the case are still sharp and the case itself shows hardly any scratching. The beautifully aged "tapisserie" dial is breathtaking; its pyramid-shaped squares have changed their colour slightly over time from black to a gently iridescent cognac colour. As appropriate for a model from the early series, the "AP" signature sits above the 6 o’clock index and not at 12 as in the later models. The dial also shows the "Swiss" designation (without "Made") below 6 o’clock. This watch is undoubtedly a magnificent addition to any collection of fine wrist watches.