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The ‘Royal Oak’ overturned the prevailing codes in 1972 during a period of existential crisis for the watch industry due to the boom of the cheap Quartz watches made in Asia. The company had to come with a bold, solid stainless sports steel luxury watch, they gave the mission to Gerald Genta to design it.
He got the inspiration from a deep-sea-diving helmet, the result was an octagonal bezel, visible mounting screws, a large case of 39mm with an integrated bracelet, a very futuristic design for the seventies. Within 2-3 years they sold about 1000 watches establishing a new segment within the industry and pioneered the popularity and desirability of the steel sports luxury watch.
The first model released was the reference 5402 known today as the “Royal Oak A series”, with a thin automatic calibre 2121 movement that is still made today. Since they treated steel as gold, the level of finishing was remarkable and so was the retail price, for comparison purpose a similar Rolex sport watch was 10x cheaper.
Today, Audemars Piguet still produces a range of Royal Oaks in different sizes (33 to 41mm) for ladies and men, from titanium, rose gold, yellow gold and platinum metals, various dial colours and with different complications.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin 26512ST.OO.1220ST.01 is a rare and exclusive timepiece, created as a Japan Special Edition and limited to just 45 pieces. This exceptional watch combines the iconic Royal Oak design with the technical mastery of a tourbillon, making it a true collector’s item.
Crafted in stainless steel, the 41mm case is a testament to Audemars Piguet’s renowned craftsmanship. The angular, beveled edges are polished to perfection, contrasting beautifully with the brushed surfaces of the case and integrated bracelet. At just 8.85mm thick, the case achieves a remarkable balance of elegance and functionality, offering water resistance up to 50 meters. The polished screws and signature octagonal bezel further enhance the watch’s timeless appeal.
The black “Petite Tapisserie” dial, exclusive to this Japan Special Edition, stays true to the original Royal Oak design. White gold applied hour markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating ensure excellent legibility, while the open aperture at 6 o’clock showcases the mesmerizing tourbillon mechanism. The dial’s understated sophistication is a nod to the heritage of the Royal Oak collection.
Powering this masterpiece is the manually wound Caliber 2924, an ultra-thin movement measuring just 4.46mm in height. Comprising 216 components and 25 jewels, the movement is visible through the glareproof sapphire crystal caseback, revealing its exquisite finishing. Operating at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour), the movement offers an impressive 70-hour power reserve, ensuring reliable performance.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin 26512ST.OO.1220ST.01 is a celebration of horological artistry and exclusivity. With its Japan-only release and limited production, this timepiece is a rare gem that embodies the perfect fusion of technical innovation and timeless design.
Audemars Piguet – bio
Audemars Piguet is a Swiss manufacturer of mechanical watches founded in 1875. They began in the Vallée de Joux. Jules Louis Audemars formed a partnership with Edward Auguste Piguet. Audemars created complicated blank watch movements for other manufactures to use. Piguet specialized in the final regulation of watches. They then split responsibilities when they began their own company. Audemars was in charge of production and technical aspects while Piguet focused on sales and management. One of their first achievements was creating the first repeater wristwatch in 1892 and in 1972 the iconic steel “Royal Oak”.
