Audemars Piguet
Reference 56175BA Royal Oak | A yellow gold wristwatch with date and bracelet, Circa 1994
Lot Closed
March 31, 06:12 PM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 USD
We may charge or debit your saved payment method subject to the terms set out in our Conditions of Business for Buyers.
Read more.Lot Details
Description
Dial: champagne, Petite Tapisserie
Caliber: cal. 2612 quartz, 8 jewels
Movement number: 596’146
Case: 18k yellow gold, case back secured by eight screws
Case number: D30’561, N° 2691
Closure: 18k yellow gold Audemars Piguet bracelet with double folding clasp
Size: 33 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 180 mm
Signed: case, dial, and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: Audemars Piguet traveling case
The Royal Oak was designed by Gerald Genta and released in 1972 by Audemars Piguet as the first stainless steel luxury sports watch. Switzerland in the 1970s was deep in the Quartz Crisis and the Royal Oak was released as a tactic to survive the downturn of the Swiss fine watchmaking industry.
The sizeable case, integrated bracelet, octagonal bezel and exposed screws took a few years before it began winning over collectors, however, Audemars Piguet’s survival can be attributed to the subsequent success of the Royal Oak.
Today, the Royal Oak is one of the most recognizable and desired timepieces.
The present example circa 1990 is powered by the in house Audemars Piguet quartz calibre 2612 cased in yellow gold. Known for manufacturing some of the thinnest movements in the industry, the calibre 2612 measures only 1.9 mm, allowing the watch to have a very slim profile which sits comfortably on the wrist.