Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

A product of the 1970s, a decade brimming with imaginative creativity across all facets of design, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak pioneered a new category — the ‘luxury sport’ watch.

Legend has it that the entire Royal Oak design was sketched by Gérald Genta in a single day! Initially launched in stainless steel in 1972, the RO went on to inspire countless other manufactures and remains relevant to this very day. What's particularly delightful about the design of the Royal Oak is that it works brilliantly in a number of sizes and casing materials, from steel to carbon fiber or solid gold.

This example, a Reference 56303SA, features a 33mm two-tone construction with its signature octagonal-shaped case, 18k yellow gold bezel, correct unsigned steel crown, mineral crystal and comes fitted to a two-tone steel and 18k integrated multi-link bracelet equipped with a fold-over deployant and signed locking clasp.

Its slate gray ‘grand tapisserie’ dial remains in exceptional condition showing a light, even patina throughout. Featuring applied indices, a matching stick handset and an applied logo at 12 o’clock, the dial is exquisitely simple and beautifully balanced. Powered by a quartz movement, this is a vibe we’ll quite happily keep from the 1980s. 

Sign us up for a two-tone sport watch when it’s executed properly — this Royal Oak happens to do so with aplomb, and has the horological - and historical - caché to go along with it!

There are certain watches that define a brand, informing its design ethos and becoming nothing short of iconic in the minds of collectors. For Audemars Piguet, that watch is the Royal Oak, in all its multitudinous incarnations. Yet the manufacture from Le Brassus did not earn its seat in the triumvirate of leading watch brands — the so-called Big Three — on the success of the Royal Oak alone.

In fact, both Jules Audemars and Edward Piguet came from long lines of watchmakers, and made their reputations long before the Royal Oak was conceived. Their reputations rested on their ability to create incredibly elegant timepieces in numerous styles. While some of these timepieces were simple, elegant dress watches, others were one-off or short-series pieces produced at the rate of a handful per year. (Some years, Audemars Piguet only produced a few hundred watches in total.) Calendar watches, chronographs, minute repeaters — all the delights of haute horlogerie were part and parcel of the AP oeuvre long before the Royal Oak made its debut in 1972.

Technical innovations from AP abound and include the first minute-repeating movement, the first skeleton watch and an ultra-thin automatic tourbillon. Newer collections, such as the Code 11.59 from 2019, see the maison continue to develop new and exciting watches and calibers, the likes of which aren’t based upon tired horological tropes from models past. (Though if vintage reissues are your bag, AP does have a special “Remaster” line — currently consisting of just one model — that reimagines some of its classical, complicated pieces from the mid-20th century.)

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.