5 Most Interesting Things about the AP Royal Oak

As we stand today, appreciating the unusual look and elegance of an Audemars Piguet timepiece, we wonder what led the designer to create this masterpiece. The answer is quite strange. There was a time when the Swiss company was facing a huge crisis due to no sales, and Gerald Genta came up with the unique Royal Oak design overnight, generating a revolutionary response for the AP timepiece.

Taking leaps and jumps to the present day, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch is so popular and sought-after that you have to stand in a long queue to get one. It has indeed become an investment option! People buy the Royal Oak and intend to sell AP watches at a higher price in the future. The journey from scratch to becoming one of the world’s top luxury watch brands is commendable, and the rest is history.

As the great ‘Royal Oak’ design celebrates its 50th anniversary, let’s take some time to understand why it is AP’s most loved and desirable watch.

5 Things That Make the AP Royal Oak a Collector’s Favourite 

1. Rich Back Story

Guess we have already disclosed a part of the tale, didn’t we? The Royal Oak indeed came along at a moment when AP was facing an existential crisis. In the 1970s, the advent of the inexpensive quartz movements called a disaster for the Swiss watch manufacturers. Audemars Piguet was one of them. Customers wanted a regular wear watch with all practical features. Audemars Piguet’s MD, Georges Golay, asked Gerald Genta to design a new steel watch that is stylish yet democratic. And yes, he gave him 24 hours to do that!

Genta, the magician he is, handed Golay a finished sketch of a watch with an octagonal bezel and visible screws the next morning. The ‘Royal Oak’ was born.

2. The Unmatched Design

AP designs some of the most unusual watches without compromising on functionality. Gerald Genta got the design influence from the portholes of a battle cruiser or a deep-sea diving helmet. However, this is for certain that the name ‘Royal Oak’ draws its inspiration from Britain’s Royal Navy, which has seen 8 vessels (fighting ships) called ‘Royal Oak’ over 300 years.

The Royal Oak has a distinctive octagonal bezel within which the designers showcase their enthralling creativity. The model is available in various complications like chronographs, perpetual calendars, and tourbillons. Also, you can avail of them in platinum, stainless steel, titanium, all varieties of gold, with diamonds, etc.

3. The Offshore’s Reference To Sherman Tank

Another Royal Oak variant that caused a similar commotion was the Offshore, which debuted in 1993. Going by that time, the watch was heavy and large, with 42mm diameter and 15mm thickness. Moreover, the platinum 26470PT made it heavier. Over the years, AP has produced various astonishing editions like the black Offshore Survivor, which came with a ceramic and titanium case with chronograph and date functions.

4. Enormous Grace

Each Audemars Piguet timepiece has an enormous grace and a weighty presence, making it almost impossible for collectors or enthusiasts to ignore it. The Royal Oak’s design intricacy instantly appeals as the technicians put a lot of commitment and dedication into designing the details of the watch piece.

For instance, the ‘Tapisserie’ dial has a great reputation right from the beginning as the face of the Royal Oak.

5. The Golden Anniversary

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the famous Royal Oak. Over the years, the Swiss watchmaker has released various variations of the Royal Oak suitable for every taste and preference. This time AP is aiming to create a watch that will surpass anything it has ever done. This is another reason why the collectors can’t keep calm!

FINAL WORDS

Without a doubt, Audemars Piguet is one of the most enduring luxury watch brands in the world. Whether it is the rich history or the luxe watch designs, the watches are deemed worthy of a hefty value in the watch market. You can easily sell an Audemars Piguet watch at an increasingly impressive price.

The bold and audacious nature of the AP watches makes them so loved, and Royal Oak being its showstopper, has brought the industry to its knees. Sit tight as AP gears to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2022. The brand must have something exciting lined up!