92nd Auction
2015/11/14
Lot 162
Audemars Piguet Genève, "Royal Oak Automatic", Case No. 402, Ref. B6922, 39 x 47 mm, circa 1975
A gentleman's heavy automatic "cult" wristwatch with date indicator - early "B" series
Case: 18k gold, screwed on back, AP gold bracelet with deployant clasp. Dial: gilt, structured, applied luminous indexes, window for date, luminous baton hands. Movm.: rotorwind movement, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 8 adj., 33 jewels, Glucydur balance, shock protection for balance.
In 1972, Audemars Piguet launched the stainless steel Royal Oak model designed by Gerald Genta; its octagonal screwed bezel was inspired by the shape of a ship's porthole. The Royal Oak 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.
Lit.: http://people.timezone.com/library/extras/201012035459
The present watch is a fine and rare example of a Royal Oak early "B" Series maintaining much of it's original charm and integrity.
A gentleman's heavy automatic "cult" wristwatch with date indicator - early "B" series
Case: 18k gold, screwed on back, AP gold bracelet with deployant clasp. Dial: gilt, structured, applied luminous indexes, window for date, luminous baton hands. Movm.: rotorwind movement, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 8 adj., 33 jewels, Glucydur balance, shock protection for balance.
In 1972, Audemars Piguet launched the stainless steel Royal Oak model designed by Gerald Genta; its octagonal screwed bezel was inspired by the shape of a ship's porthole. The Royal Oak 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.
Lit.: http://people.timezone.com/library/extras/201012035459
The present watch is a fine and rare example of a Royal Oak early "B" Series maintaining much of it's original charm and integrity.
Sold
estimated
13.000—20.000 €
Price realized
19.300 €