Property of an Important European Collector
870
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 5402ST
Royal Oak “A Series”
An early, attractive and well-preserved stainless steel wristwatch with blue dial, date and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$480,000 - 950,000•€59,100 - 117,000$61,500 - 122,000
HK$635,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Audemars Piguet
- Year
- Circa 1974
- Reference No
- 5402ST
- Movement No
- 146’242
- Case No
- 80’899, No. A 1899
- Model Name
- Royal Oak “A Series”
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 2121, 36 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 175mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 39mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin confirming the timepiece was sold in 1974 and service invoice with a letter from manufacturer confirming that the present timepiece is fitted with a blue dial that was only produced once.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The early Royal Oak "A-Series" ref. 5402ST featured the ultra-thin cal. 2121, Audemars Piguet's take on the beloved Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 920. Its dark "Grande Tapisserie" dial, luminous markers, and AP logo above 6 o'clock distinguish these inaugural models.
This unusual example from the “A-Series” with a case number 1899 is fitted with a distinctive blue dial, confirmed by a letter from Audemars Piguet indicating that this dial colour was produced only once. It is likely that the manufacture had restored the original dial during a service in the past and by request of the owner, Audemars Piguet had applied a different colour of blue on the dial, hence the letter confirming this one-time application. Another interesting point worth mentioning is that the present dial bears a sigma signature at 6 o’clock, which could be applied as a requirement of the Swiss law at the time of the dial restoration.
Accompanied by its Certificate of Origin, the present watch is preserved in attractive overall condition, making this a special and collectible Royal Oak.
This unusual example from the “A-Series” with a case number 1899 is fitted with a distinctive blue dial, confirmed by a letter from Audemars Piguet indicating that this dial colour was produced only once. It is likely that the manufacture had restored the original dial during a service in the past and by request of the owner, Audemars Piguet had applied a different colour of blue on the dial, hence the letter confirming this one-time application. Another interesting point worth mentioning is that the present dial bears a sigma signature at 6 o’clock, which could be applied as a requirement of the Swiss law at the time of the dial restoration.
Accompanied by its Certificate of Origin, the present watch is preserved in attractive overall condition, making this a special and collectible Royal Oak.
Audemars Piguet
Swiss | 1881A 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.
Browse MakerToday, 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.