Product Spotlight: Why We Love the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watch Series

The Swiss luxury watchmaker, Audemars Piguet (AP), is best known for its famous Royal Oak watch, introduced in 1972. This iconic timepiece, and the world’s first luxury sports watch, helped AP become one of the industry’s most prominent luxury watch manufacturers. Heralded as a modern icon, there is much to love about the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch series—here’s why.

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About the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watch

Founded in Switzerland in 1875, Audemars Piguet remains one of the most luxurious watch brands today, beloved for its exceptional engineering, craftsmanship, and elegance. It stands tall among other well-known luxury watch brands, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, and more.

Of all of Audemars Piguet’s timepieces, the famous AP Royal Oak is by far the most recognizable. Designed by renowned watchmaker Gérald Genta in 1972, the Royal Oak watch was a remarkable timepiece because of its special combination of stainless steel, octagonal bezel, and distinct dial, which featured AP’s hallmark Grande Tapisserie design.

The model’s name comes from one of the Royal Navy’s HMS Royal Oak battleships, built during the First World War. For some, the unique octagonal bezel was thought to have been inspired by the portholes on this battleship, although the designer later said they drew inspiration from a sea-diving helmet. The AP Royal Oak was celebrated as the world’s first luxury sport wristwatch, and several models of the Royal Oak have since been manufactured over the years. Today, this timepiece continues to boast a loyal following of collectors.

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The AP Royal Oak Throughout the Years

The original Royal Oak was an example of bold innovation within the watch industry. It earned its title as a sports watch for its water resistance up to 50 meters while still maintaining the quintessential thin dress watch design. With just a 7mm-thick case, its thinness offered comfort while still providing remarkable durability. The original design also had a handful of unique characteristics, including both polished and satin finishes on the bracelet and steel components, giving it a 3D appearance.

In 2005, another Royal Oak model was released, known as the Royal Oak Ref.15300ST. This model’s stainless steel case offered 9.4mm thickness, a slightly more robust size than its predecessor. Still, it’s considered an ideal model for wearers with thin wrists.

One of the 15300ST watch’s most distinct characteristics was its sizable AP logo at 12 o’clock on the dial. The dial also came in three different colors: black, white, and blue. In 2012, the Royal Oak Ref. 15400ST was released, serving as an update to the ‘05 watch. The main update was to the case size, which was enlarged to 41mm and made to be slightly thicker. These changes made it appear more sporty and modern. Several design changes included shrinking the AP logo at the 12 o’clock position and returning to the original version’s double-baton index.

Notable Royal Oak Features

Today, the AP Royal Oak sports improved self-winding movement, with increased beats per hour and a longer power reserve that can last up to 70 hours. The movement has a 32mm diameter, which offers greater balance with the case itself. The AP Royal Oak’s dial has long been one of the timepiece’s most distinct design features. Its Grande Tapisserie pattern is comprised of lots of tiny squares that lend it an intricate and highly detailed design. Currently, this dial plate comes in three elegant colors: gray, blue, and black.

When you wear an AP Royal Oak wristwatch, one of the first things you’ll find is how beautifully the light reflects off the watch’s polished components. This gives it a tremendous presence, regardless of what attire you pair it with. One appeal of luxury sport watches like that of the AP Royal Oak is their versatility. This timepiece not only pairs well with more casual outfits but with more formal looks. From t-shirts and jeans to suits and formal dresses, it coordinates with almost any look. Ultimately, this timeless watch is a fantastic choice for any luxury watch collector who wants to add a versatile, functional, and striking timepiece to their collection.

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Choose the AP Royal Oak Watch for You

At Luxury of Watches, we have several Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch models to suit your style and tastes. Choose among stainless steel, gold, and more, and enjoy a certificate of authenticity, plus a five-year warranty. We have a Royal Oak for every watch wearer in our collection, from vintage versions to the more modern stainless steel models in rose gold.