67 - Audemars Piguet - Royal Oak Jumbo A-Series

Audemars Piguet - Royal Oak Jumbo A-Series A stunning vintage Geneva steel wristwatch with date and tropical dial - "cult" watch from the first A series! Ref. 5402ST, Cal. 2121, Case No. A1297, Dimensions 39 x 48 mm, circa 1973, Origin Schweiz Case: Steel, screwed on back, AP steel bracelet, total length 175 mm. Dial: Black, "Petite tapisserie" guilloche pattern. Movm.: Automatic. When the Royal Oak was launched in 1972, its unusual design with octagonal bezel, "tapisserie" dial and integrated bracelet was considered extremely novel and unorthodox – and it made the watch a true modern style icon. It was the first steel wristwatch Audemars Piguet had produced. The design was by Gérald Genta, whose designs were also used for the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the IWC Ingenieur, and the movement was by Jaeger-LeCoultre. It was considered the thinnest automatic movement of the time and had a 21-carat gold oscillating weight. The clearly legible dial was an engine turned metal alloy and was more expensive than gold in the early 1970s. The machining of the strap was just as expensive, because steel is much harder and more difficult to work with than gold. The case was cut out of a metal block. The eight hexagonal screws are due to a patented case seal and are made of 18-carat white gold. The first Royal Oak series consisted of 1,000 pieces. After another series of 1,000 pieces with the prefix "A", Audemars Piguet continued with "B" and "C" series etc.. As can be seen from the case number on the case back, this Royal Oak is from the first series in which only 2000 pieces were produced. In line with the early series, the "AP" letter signature is located on the dial above the 6 o'clock index and not at 12 o'clock, as is the case with the more recent models from the C series. The "tapisserie" dial appears to have been replaced during a service probably in the early 1980s, as the inscription reads "Swiss Made" rather than "Swiss" beneath the 6 o’clock position. Its pyramid-shaped squares have changed in colour from black to a softly shimmering hazelnut brown due to light exposure, giving the watch a particular distinctive vintage character. During the service, the crown was exchanged for a later version, as it bears the AP logo. The Royal Oak baton hands, however, are original and filled with luminous material that has developed an attractive patina and now presents itself in a light beige tone. Overall, the timepiece is in well-kept condition with sharp facets. In keeping with its age, the case has some slight signs of wear; the engravings on the caseback, however, are deep and excellently preserved. The beautiful, original steel bracelet is perfect and has a fair amount of ‘stretch’ - this is certainly an unusual and unique opportunity to acquire such a magnificent and unique trophy watch. Case: very good, worn, later original crown. Dial: very good, slightly oxydized, later original. Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended. Please note that leather straps made from endangered or protected species - such as alligator, crocodile, or lizard - are used in our catalogue or on our website for illustration purposes only. For customs-related reasons, such straps cannot be shipped outside the EU.