Audemars Piguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet
    Year: 1973
    Reference No: 5402 ST
    Movement No: 142'421
    Case No: A959/67959
    Model Name: Royal Oak A-Series "Oman"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. K2121, 36 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Gay Frères and Audemars Piguet stainless steel link bracelet, max length 180mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp further stamped 1.72
    Dimensions: 39mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Thanks to its Royal provenance, the present watch is one of the rarest and most exciting examples of an early Royal Oak “Jumbo” to appear at auction in recent memory. Part of the earliest and most desirable “A-Series” production, this reference 5402 was the 959th Royal Oak made. Taking its exclusivity and desirability to an even higher level is the presence of the “Khanjar” daggers on the dial at 6 o’clock – the national emblem of Oman.

    The Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, is a well-known collector and horological enthusiast, and specially commissioned watches from the finest manufactures to be given as gifts to loyal servants and foreign dignitaries. His Majesty ascended to the throne on July 23, 1970, which makes the present watch likely to be amongst the first gifts he offered during his reign. The dial is exceptional, without the characteristic “mini-tapisserie” guilloché surface found on all other A-series Royal Oaks. This flat black surface was better suited to apply the Khanjar emblem, demonstrating that this dial was custom designed for His Majesty. Furthermore, 12 round brilliant-cut diamond hour markers serve to enhance its beauty.

    Finding any A-Series Royal Oak is not easy, and finding one as well preserved as the present example is far more difficult. The present A-Series example, with its Royal provenance, is therefore an exceptionally rare opportunity to own one of the world’s most important Royal Oak watches.

  • Artist Biography

    Audemars Piguet

    Swiss • 1881

    A specialist in the manufacture of complications since it was established in 1881, Audemars Piguet never ceases to impress with a rich history of creating bold, even audacious, timepieces underpinned by traditional watchmaking at its finest. This Le Brassus-based Swiss manufacturer is one of only two major manufacturers still owned by the founding family. Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches. The brand is devoted to preserving the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, showcased at their superb museum in Le Brassus.

    Today, the brand is best known for its Royal Oak models, a revolutionary luxury sports watch launched in 1972. Other key models include early minute repeating wristwatches, vintage chronograph wristwatches, such as the oversized reference 5020, perpetual calendar watches and the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced in 1993.

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170

Ref. 5402 ST
An extremely rare and highly attractive stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet, made for the Sultanate of Oman

1973
39mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 100,000 
€55,100-91,800
$61,800-103,000

Sold for CHF93,750

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016