275 Audemars Piguet Highly Rare and Extremely Well-Preserved Royal Oak Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 5402 ST, With Nicely Patinated Tropical Dial

Estimate: € 70,000 –⁠ 140,000

Sold € 145,600

Model: Royal Oak
Reference: 5402ST
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1970's
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 2121
Case N°: A1991
Dimensions: 39 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case

When hearing the name Audemars Piguet, thoughts immediately go to the legendary Royal Oak. Iconic as very few other models have been in the history of horology, it is the umpteenth creation of the immortal designer Gerla Genta. Launched at Baselworld in 1972, it represented a real novelty in the Audemars universe as it was the brand’s first true sporting pride. It was the first luxury watch in steel with integrated bracelet in order to offer its customers a precious but at the same time sporty alternative. The present example is absolutely remarkable for its conservation: the whole bracelet and clasp are in excellent conditions and also the back still presents the case number engraved very crisp. The case and the immediately recognizable bezel are still maintaining their original proportions. The surface of the originally black dial is starting to tropicalize and the guilloche mini-“tapisserie” pattern — a texture found on all early Royal Oak dials — is still nice and well defined. It is decorated with applied baton indexes and the AP logo at 6 as in the first models, while at 3 o’clock is located the date window.