97th Auction

2018/5/12

Lot 300

Audemars Piguet Genève, "Royal Oak Automatic", Case No. A1373, 39 x 48 mm, circa 1973
An automatic vintage Geneva wristwatch with date - "cult" watch from the legendary "A" series
Case: steel, screwed on back, AP steel bracelet with deployant clasp. Dial: anthracite, engine-turned "petite tapisserie".
With its octagonal bezel, "tapisserie" dial and integrated bracelet, the Royal Oak overturned the prevailing codes in 1972 and took its rightful place as a true modern icon.
The Royal Oak model was designed by Gerald Genta; its octagonal screwed bezel was inspired by the shape of a ship's porthole. It was produced in a series of 1000 pieces with the intention to be sold to lovers of luxury timekeepers. After a second series of 1000 Royal Oak "A" serial numbers Audemars Piguet moved on to the "B" series, "C" series, and so on.
The quickest way to identify an A-Series Royal Oak is by the placement of the "AP" insignia on the dial. All A-Series examples were made with the "AP" placed above 6 o'clock. Later Royal Oaks, including modern pieces, feature the AP logo at 12 o'clock. Early B Series watches, which typically date to around 1975, may also feature the AP at 6 o'clock. On occasion you may find some late B series and even C series watches with the AP above 6 o'clock, but this would likely be a replacement dial provided during service. Also, an original A-Series dial should read "Swiss" below 6 o'clock. If the dial reads "Swiss Made", it has likely been replaced.
The present watch is a fine and rare example of a Royal Oak early "A" Series maintaining much of it's original charm and integrity.

Sold

estimated
18.00030.000 €
Price realized
39.700 €