186 Audemars Piguet An historically important and very well preserved, Royal Oak,"A" serial wristwatch in steel with blue dial, Gay Freres bracelet and original box, the 100th produced.
Estimate: € 40.000 – 80.000
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- Model Royal Oak
- Year 1972
- Reference 5402
- Case Material Stainless Steel
- Case Number A-100
- Bracelet Material Stainless Steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, approximate length 190mm
- Movement Automatic, cal. 2121, 36 jewels
- Dimension 39mm Diameter
- Signed Case, dial and movement
- Accessories Accompanied by Audemars Piguet fitted presentation box.
Designed in a single night by Gérald Genta, the first Royal Oak was unveiled at the Basel Fair in 1972, following two years of development. With its revolutionary design and unprecedented use of stainless steel, the model elevated the humble material to a new status, introducing the notion of “casual chic” to Haute Horlogerie and opening a defining chapter in the history of Audemars Piguet. Between 1972 and 1976, reference 5402 was the only Royal Oak produced by Audemars Piguet, offered exclusively in stainless steel and with a single dial configuration. The 5402ST remained in the catalogue for 15 years, with a total of 4,288 examples sold. The present example is exceptionally distinguished by its extraordinarily low Series A number, A-100, placing it among the earliest Royal Oak wristwatches ever produced. Its 39 mm stainless steel case, water-resistant to 100 metres, houses the legendary automatic calibre 2121, presented here in its original no-date configuration. Particularly noteworthy is its excellent state of preservation and originality, retaining its period-correct 344 integrated bracelet, fitted with a first batch Gay Frères clasp stamped 1-72. The watch is also fitted with the highly sought-after early dial configuration featuring the applied Audemars Piguet signature positioned at 6 o’clock. Accompanied by its original period metal presentation box, A-100 combines an extraordinary serial number, highly desirable early configuration, original period components and outstanding preservation, making it a particularly compelling and historically important example of one of the most influential wristwatch designs of the 20th century.
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GENEVA
Eternity Gallery Geneva, 19 Place de Longemalle
HONG KONG
Opera Gallery Hong Kong, 1 Duddell Street, Unit 01, 11/F, Central
MILANO
Portrait Milano Hotel, Corso Venezia, 11
BOLOGNA
Time on Show Bologna, Viale della Fiera, 20