Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak 'Jumbo N°8', Reference 5402BC | A white gold and diamond-set wristwatch with date and bracelet | Circa 1978
Auction Closed
May 10, 02:36 PM GMT
Estimate
40,000 - 80,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: blue, diamond
Calibre: cal. K2121 automatic, 36 jewels
Movement number: 147'526
Case: 18k white gold, bezel secured by 8 screws
Case number: B22'925, 8
Closure: 18k white gold Audemars Piguet bracelet and folding clasp
Size: 39 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 180 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: none
The first Royal Oak was created in 1972 and designed by legendary watchmaker, Gerald Genta, who drew inspiration for its shape from a ship's porthole and completed its blueprints overnight. It was introduced as the world's first luxury watch in stainless steel, in the attempt to revitalise traditional watchmaking from the quartz crisis.
After 5 years, in 1977, the Manufacture decided to introduce the precious versions of the 5402, that was the birth of the 5402BA, 5402BC and 5402SA. While the yellow gold version (BA) was made in 736 examples, the two-tone version (SA) in 951 examples and the stainless steel version in 4,288 pieces, the white gold saw a much more confidential production with a total of only 150 pieces. This rarity makes the 5402BC the favourite version for collectors.
Interestingly, the white gold version was in vast majority delivered with a diamond-set indexes dial and baton hands that were tritium free. The eleven single cut diamonds were either circular mounting or claw set in a square, such as with the present lot.
What truly sets this watch apart from the other 5402BC is its case number 8. Confirming its very early production and being the one of the most collectible case numbers for international collectors.