In 2012, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak, the manufacture in Le Brassus is offering eight new models entirely in harmony with the identity codes of the original collection and the daring minds that decided, 40 years ago, to set out to conquer the world with an entirely unprecedented sports watch.
There is a before and after the Royal Oak in the history of modern horology. Launched by Audemars Piguet in 1972, the first prestige sports watch was already ahead of its time. Legend has it that it was designed overnight. The story begins with one strong idea: to offer a prestigious extra-thin mechanical movement housed inside a steel case. The challenge was daring enough to ensure that very few observers would have been prepared to wager on the success of this unconventional watch presented by the Manufacture Audemars Piguet at the Basel Fair in the spring of 1972. It did not immediately catch on...
The Royal Oak 1972-2012 features a skeletonised version of Calibre 2121 (Cal. 5122) which is highlighted by a contemporary decoration and a galvanic anthracite treatment. Platinum 40-piece limited edition.
This is one of the thinnest tourbillon movements on the market. The openworking of this movement is highlighted by a contemporary decoration and an anthracite galvanic treatment.
The trend of that period leaned firmly towards small watches, and the Royal Oak with its 39 mm was regarded as decidedly different. It was indeed — exactly like the Manufacture that conceived it, because to break the rules, you must first master them. And the revolution it was to spark within the watchmaking world was only just beginning. For the very first time, a watch was no longer defined exclusively by its technical aspects or its materials, but also by its image. This was a watershed that would profoundly modify the value system governing the watch industry. 40 years later, the Royal Oak has become an authentic icon of modern watchmaking. With its octagonal bezel equipped with 8 hexagonal white gold screws, its “ tapisserie ” dial pattern and its bracelet fully integrated with the case, this non-conformist and spectacular watch, consistently one step ahead of its era, has made an indelible imprint on the history of Audemars Piguet.
Openworked extra-thin Royal Oak ref.15203PT.OO.1240PT.01 40th anniversary limited edition of 40
Openworked extra-thin Royal Oak tourbillon ref. 26511PT.OO.1220PT.01 40th anniversary limited edition of 40
Extra-thin Royal Oak ref.15202ST.OO.1240ST.01
Royal Oak Chronograph ref.26320OR.OO.D002CR.01
Openworked extra-thin Royal Oak ref.15203PT.OO.1240PT.01 40th anniversary limited edition of 40
Selfwinding Royal Oak ref.15400ST.OO.1220ST.01
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Audemars Piguet’s iconic timepiece Royal Oak, the world’s first ever luxury sports timepiece which sparked a complete paradigm shift in the watch industry, the Swiss Manufacture from Le Brassus in the Vallée de Joux has put together a unique, ephemeral exhibition.
Using design, photography, sound and film from three unequivocally 21st century artists, Sebastien Leon Agneessens, Quayola and Dan Holdsworth, the Manufacture has curated an exhibition of 100 exceptional timepieces set against the backdrop of a stage that underscores Audemars Piguet’s origins, mastery and artistry.
These rare watches, from the very first Royal Oak in 1972 to the latest models unveiled at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, Geneva in January 2012, will be revealed in a series of exhibitions showcasing the brand’s ability to innovate and create. Open to the public for four days only, the exhibition will stop in Milan, Paris, Beijing, Singapore and Dubai.
