SIHH 2012 - 40th Anniversary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

 

Sketch and Photo of the Original Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, circa 1972

In 2012, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the collection, Audemars Piguet is presenting eight new models all in-tune with the design codes of the original 1972 collection.   

Launched in 1972 by Audemars Piguet, the Royal Oak was a breakthrough creation right from the start.  With the launch of the Royal Oak, designed by the late Gérald Genta, nothing would ever be the same.  The advent at that particular time of this prestige sports watch, representing a complete break with traditional watchmaking codes, would result in a complete paradigm shift — a prestigious extra-thin mechanical movement housed inside a steel case and sold for the price of a gold watch.   

 40 years later, the Royal Oak has become an authentic contemporary watch icon.

Audemars Piguet is returning to roots in 2012 with the presentation of eight new Royal Oak versions in keeping with the spirit of the first prestigious sports watch that has become a legend since its launch in 1972, and here they are:

Within the Extra-Thin Royal Oak line:

• Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon 40th Anniversary Limited Edition (Ref. 26511)
• Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon (Ref. 26510)
• Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak 40th Anniversary Limited Edition (Ref. 15203PT)
• Extra-Thin Royal Oak (Ref. 15202)

Within the Royal Oak Selfwinding and Quartz line,

• Selfwinding Royal Oak (Ref 15400) – 41 mm, upsized from 39mm
• Selfwinding Royal Oak Chronograph Ref 26320 – 41 mm, upsized
• Royal Oak Quartz (33 mm) – available in steel and pink gold versions; all versions are fitted with diamond-set bezel
• Selfwinding Royal Oak (37 mm) – available in steel and pink gold versions with diamond-set bezel