Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1978 Reference No: BA 14153 Movement No: 765'869 Case No: B16'542 caseback further stamped 179 Model Name: Royal Oak Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2325, 32 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin confirming sale of the present watch in 1978.
Catalogue Essay
Timepieces from Audemars Piguet featuring the coveted Khanjar on the dial are extremely rare and grace the auction market only sporadically.
Emblazoned on Oman’s white, red, and green flag is its national emblem, the Khanjar—a traditional dagger originating from the country used for ceremonial occasions.
During the 1970s, the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, a well-known collector and horological enthusiast, specially commissioned watches from the finest manufactures to be given as gifts to loyal servants and foreign dignitaries. These timepieces were personalized, either with the image of the Khanjar superimposed upon two crossed swords sometimes surmounted by a crown, like with the present lot, or with His Majesty’s signature.
The Royal Oak in gold with outer bezel elegantly surmounted with diamonds was most certainly gifted to a high ranking official or to a very important foreign dignitary.
The dial glitters with glamour and sophistication, featuring the Royal Oak’s characteristic “mini-tapisserie” guilloché surface. It furthermore displays 12 round brilliant-cut diamond hour markers serving to enhance its beauty.
In overall superb condition, the royal provenance and extreme rarity of this timepiece makes it a must have for the connoisseur.
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.