Lot 69

Audemars Piguet

Royal Oak Jumbo

A stunning vintage Geneva gold wristwatch with date - "cult" watch from the first series! With Audemars Piguet extract from the archives

Sold

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 prefix "A", Audemars Piguet continued with "B" and "C" series etc..
As can be seen on the case back, the present Royal Oak does not bear an alphabetic prefix, as is usual for the early models in steel. As appropriate for a model from the early series, in which only 1000 watches were produced, the "AP" signature sits above the 6 o’clock index and not at 12 as in the later models from the C series. Furthermore, the "Swiss" designation without "Made" is placed below the 6 o'clock position. The crown is original, recognisable by the missing marking. The watch belongs to the very first series in gold and is the 136th Royal Oak example that was produced in the 1970s.
The watch is in a very well-kept condition and is first-hand. The gold case shows some very slight scratches that are appropriate for its age; the engravings on the caseback, however, are deep and perfectly preserved – this is certainly an unusual and unique opportunity to acquire such a magnificent and unique trophy watch.