262 Audemars Piguet Highly Historical and Well Preserved, Royal Oak, Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, With Tapisserie Dial, Reference 5402ST

Estimate: € 40,000 –⁠ 80,000

Sold € 46,800

Model: Royal Oak
Reference: 5402ST
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 2121
Case N°: B1701
Dimensions: 39 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case

Audemars Piguet’s launch of the Royal Oak marked the inception of today’s luxury sports watch market. Revered as few others in horological history, it stands as yet another masterpiece from the immortal designer Gerald Genta. Unveiled at Baselworld in 1972, it created an immediate sensation, presenting an unprecedented offering in the watch industry and serving as a groundbreaking addition to the Audemars universe, embodying the brand’s inaugural foray into genuine sporting elegance. Distinguished as the premier luxury watch in steel with an integrated bracelet, the Royal Oak aimed to provide customers with a timepiece that seamlessly combined opulence and athleticism. It prominently featured the ultra-slim caliber 2121, rooted in the Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 920, a movement later adopted by the Nautilus wristwatch. The initial iteration, the 5402, enjoyed a production span of 25 years, yielding approximately 6 050 examples across four distinct batches: A, B, C, and D, each boasting nuanced design elements that set them apart. Introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak swiftly gained acclaim, with the initial 2 000 units of the “A-Series” swiftly selling out. Subsequent releases in the “B-Series” and “C-Series” were meticulously numbered on the case back. The showcased specimen hails from the “B-Series” and is noteworthy for its impeccable original condition. As an icon of watch design, the original Royal Oak reference 5402ST continues to ascend in popularity among discerning collectors.