Important Watches: Part II
Important Watches: Part II
Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak, Ref. 14790 Tantalum and stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet Circa 1990
Lot Closed
November 11, 12:15 PM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 30,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak, Ref. 14790
Tantalum and stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet
Circa 1990
Dial: silvered
Calibre: cal. 2225 automatic, 36 jewels
Movement number: 428'235
Case: tantalum and stainless steel, back secured by 8 screws
Case number: D83'443, n°022
Closure: tantalum and stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet and folding clasp
Dimensions: 36 mm, bracelet circumference approx. 185 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Audemars Piguet presentation case and outer packaging
The present Royal Oak is cased in a rare material known as tantalum, a blue-grey metal with strengthened durability which matches perfectly the pink gold bezel and links. Audemars Piguet started using this special metal in their production in 1988, both for Royal Oak cases and bracelets. Difficult to work with, other brands quickly ceased using this material while Audemars Piguet went on to produce different Royal Oak models with various combinations such as pink gold and tantalum, yellow gold and tantalum, as well as tantalum and stainless steel. Tantalum does not change its color over time and also has a high resistance to acids. Due to its rather high density it also gives the watch a certain heft, similar to a full gold piece.