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Audemars Piguet
Ref. 5402
Royal Oak "A Series"
A rare, early and well preserved stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet, numbered "A06"
Full-Cataloguing
- The present watch reference 5402 bears the case number 6, making it one of the earliest known Royal Oaks to ever come to the market
- Preserved in superb condition with a crisp case with sharp bevels, as well as a stunning dial
The present Royal Oak ref. 5402 “A Series” is exciting in so many ways. Not only is it in absolutely superb condition with a very well-preserved case and a stunning dial but it also bears the case number 6, making it one of the first ever examples made of this iconic model. In a way it is one of the forefathers of a genre – the luxury sports watch – that Audemars Piguet invented with the Royal Oak.
Looking back to 50 years ago, one can be surprised that upon its launch in 1972, the Royal Oak caused an immediate sensation. Like all novel ideas, the watch was greeted with skepticism. It was a watch the likes of which had not been seen before and to top it all, it was a stainless steel watch more expensive than any gold model in Audemars Piguet’s catalogue!
The Royal Oak model reference 5402 was produced in four different batches: A, B, C and D with small design details that made each subtly different. The present “A Series”, like all other ref. 5402 models, houses the extra-slim caliber 2121 based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 920, that would later be found in the Nautilus wristwatch. Today, the Royal Oak is considered the ultimate embodiment of the luxury sports watch and remains as iconic as ever, with early examples such as the present one bearing case number 6 being one of the earliest examples to come to the market.
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.