Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak, Automatic, circa 1980s.

Fine and elegant, octagonal, self-winding, waterproof, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with date, champagne dial with diamond markers, 18K yellow gold integrated bracelet.

Case: Two-body, polished and brushed, bezel set 8 white gold screws, case back with 4 screws.

Dial: Champagne gold with diamond set indices, aperture for the date at 3. Yellow gold Baton hands.

Movement: Cal. 2121, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, flat balance spring, 21K yellow gold rotor. Dial, case and movement signed. 

Reference: 5402BA

Circa: 1980s

Case Nr: B43XX Movement: 211XXX

Diam. 39 mm. Thickness 7 mm. Approximate overall length 170 mm

Comes with Audemars Piguet extract from the archives and original box

More about Audemars Piguet:

Early Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches are highly sought after for their iconic status within the horological world – being the original stainless steel luxury sport watch. Introduced in 1972 with a limited production of 1000 pieces, the model was slow to find a following. When the model finally took off, a second run of 1000 pieces were built. These first two thousand examples were given “A” serial numbers, after which Audemars Piguet starting using “B” serial numbers (starting at number 1001), and so on.

In the early 1980s, the Royal Oak was an important part of the Audemars Piguet collection. Its success during the 1970's had set the watch as a classic offering of the brand. However, because the 2120/2121 movement was being produced in smaller quantity by Jaeger-le-Coultre, Audemars Piguet concentrated its sale toward Royal Oak with higher price point such this gold model, and other jewelry watches. This watch with its champagne dial and diamond indices is a rare example of that period.  This Royal Oak has kept its original condition, the dial has acquired a patina which gives a fumé coloring.