Audemars Piguet Royal Oak At 50

The Royal Oak is unarguably Audemars Piguet’s most popular and successful timepiece. As a design work of Gerald Genta, this wristwatch first caught a glimpse of life in 1972. Since then, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak remains the primary stainless steel luxury sports time tool from this watchmaker. And with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak at 50 this year, Audemars Piguet once more showed the watchmaking world why they are a top brand. This year marks the brand’s 50th anniversary after hitting the watchmaking scene in 1972. In recognition of the half-century milestone, every watch enthusiast had high hopes that AP had something huge planned for the celebration. We all expected a few upgrades to the collection in 2022. Thankfully, the historic Swiss watch manufacturer did not let us down at all.  In celebration of the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, Audemars Piguet did not only introduce one new timepiece. This Swiss watchmaker instead introduced an entire line of new models. Now, with widespread recognition as one of the most remarkable timepieces ever produced, the AP Royal Oak design can never be underrated. Particularly, the Royal Oak design keeps evolving in the last few decades and will hold a place in the history books with an impressive streak of improvements. 

AP Royal Oak at 50: Pushing Forward 

Produced in 1972 as a part of a bold new moment for watch design and production, this timepiece introduces a "body of steel and heart of gold.” When you go through real watchmaking legends, the introduction of the AP Royal Oak is one that saved the world of luxury watchmaking like a hero. History gives an account of how Audemars Piguet took a great chance by daring to push forward with the rule-breaking Royal Oak. What will be the product of this chance taken was an industry-wide revolution thanks to this brand-new variety of horology.  Nevertheless, those who pay close attention to Audemars Piguet's technical and aesthetic achievements might not be excessively impressed. All of these achievements are less a revolution than the Royal Oak designs that run through the history of the brand have been. Now, at 50, the AP Royal Oak still has more in store for every AP Royal Oak fan.

Audemars Piguet Continues to Set the Pace for Others to Follow

From the beginning, the Audemars Piguet brand always held a record as one of the pacesetters in the watchmaking world. This outstandingly ingenious brand introduced many of the world’s firsts. Below are some of this brand's ingenious outputs:

• The minute repeater timepiece in 1892
• The skeletonized wristwatch in 1934
• The thinnest watch in 1946

When comparing the numerous achievements of this luxury watchmaker, the Royal Oak is still the most outstanding. Here is a timepiece that came in as a special contribution from AP to the history of watchmaking. The entire journey began as it debuted as the very first luxury sports timepiece. Then, it presaged the way every watch lover wears wristwatches today.  Generally, these creations were often intelligent adaptations to the dynamic and growing needs of the periods. As the 1970s marked the core of the period, it makes complete sense that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak holds a key space in this pace setting journey. Finally, with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak at 50, here’s a look into the evolution of the AP Royal Oak design and production. From here, we will reveal a clear through-line of technological ingenuity that this timepiece presents continually over the last half-century. 

Audemars Piguet: Watchmaking Delight from Le Brassus

Established in 1875 in the Swiss town of Le Brassus, Audemars Piguet began a journey to be one of the most famed watchmakers globally. This watchmaker prides itself on time-honored creativity, mastery, and drive for creativity in its designs.  This brand is the story of Jules Louis Audemars (1851–1918) and Edward Auguste Piguet (1853–1919). These two were respectively fourth and fifth-generation watchmakers with thriving careers in the watchmaking world. So, when these two joined forces, the emergence of industrial machinery and serial production was inevitable.  The Audemars Piguet brand took its toll on conventional watchmaking techniques. During these initial years, the two colleagues brandished hand-crafting specialized means as their chosen mode of production. In many times, the brand established itself as aces in ultra-complicated pocket watch designs and production. More so, Audemars Piguet played a crucial part in the expansion and advancement of the watchmaking world. Particularly, for the AP Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet assisted by laying the foundation upon which the brand established all its impressive strides in form and function.  More importantly, the brand also capitalized on its horological aptitude in the design and production of the movements of female wristwatches. Staying true to the style of the times, these timepieces worked as brooches, pendants, or rings depending on the user. In all, Audemars Piguet racked up these well worked-out technical feats in miniature. Considering this on a larger scale, Audemars Piguet continues to hold the fort as a pioneer in the advancement of the watchmaking business. Here is to a brand that worked as the basis upon which numerous watchmaking brands now build on in function and style.

AP Royal Oak at 50: Displaying Ingenious Watchmaking Prowess

As Audemars Piguet marked its 50th anniversary this year, the brand thought it fit to once again display to the watchmaking world why they remain a pace-setter. The brand chose to do this by rolling out some new wristwatch designs and some modifications as well.  From the wide array of pleasant introductions Audemars Piguet stunned the watchmaking world, below is a list of most of them that caught the eye. 

• The Noteworthy New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 16202 “Jumbo”

Possibly the sole most notable new introduction is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” reference 16202. It comes on the back of the previous ref. 15202. The Ref. 15202 was a version that remains a long-time hero among several collectors. Also, this new model delivers much of the same appearance and feel with its ultra-thin 39mm case. Nevertheless, this latest addition features a negligibly updated dial. and an all-new movement (Caliber 7121). This new movement added to this new version of the AP Royal Oak develops upon its predecessor with a quickset date and longer power reserve features. With the addition of the new movement, one would expect that the exterior dimensions will change as well. However, all of the exterior dimensions remain unchanged despite this new addition. This output in size is rather remarkable considering that the new caliber is narrowly bigger than the last one.  As a whole, there are four different new models of the AP Royal Oak 16202. These four new versions include:

• Stainless steel with a blue dial
• Pink gold with a smoked gray dial
• Yellow gold with a smoked gold dial
• Platinum with a smoked green dial. 

Moreover, the new Jumbo (along with the other 50th anniversary Royal Oak timepieces) comes with an outstanding oscillating weight with a “50 Years” emblem. Also, this anniversary feature will only be a part of the examples that will be on sale in 2022.

• The Updated New Royal Oak Chronograph Wristwatches

Have you seen the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26240 50th Anniversary Pink Gold? That right there is another impressive and notable addition to the AP Royal Oak array. It features on the list of new models introduced by this pacesetting Swiss manufacturer to commemorate the 50th anniversary. Here is a whole collection of updated Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph wristwatches.  Audemars Piguet rolled out a total of seventeen different new models as additions to the lineup for 2022. These new models feature a combination of both 38mm and 41mm case sizes. It also includes both stainless steel and pink gold references as well. Audemars Piguet introduced a range of varieties to suit their customers with different tastes.  In addition, the general setup of the new AP Royal Oak Chronograph is not so different from what the previous generation presented. In fact, this new range of wristwatches (new generation) even carries over the same movements as was present in the previous generation. We still had the Cal. 2385 for the 38mm model, and Cal. 4401 for the 41mm model.  Regardless, the new generation comes with a number of improvements to add sophistication to its style. Some of these refinements include new dial colors, a superior caseback, and an upgraded bracelet with slimmer links that gives emphasis to the shape of its taper better than before.

• The New Mid-Size Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37mm

Another addition to the pack was the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37mm 15550 50th Anniversary Two-Tone timepiece. This timepiece came in addition to a new full-size “Jumbo” model. The Audemars Piguet brand released this new mid-size 37mm Royal Oak in the form of the reference 15550.  This new reference 15550 model comes outfitted in stainless steel, pink, and two-tone. More so, the new Royal Oak 37mm timepieces come with broader bevels that highlight their case finishing better. Again, this new version comes together with a slightly more sophisticated variation of the model’s signature bracelet. On the inside, the new 37mm AP Royal Oak again profits from yet another upgrade. Presently, this timepiece functions on the power from the Caliber 5900 movement. This movement is not only thinner but also delivers a higher frequency compared to its predecessor.  Truly, the 37mm version might come in with a size dimension just 2mm lesser than the full-size “Jumbo” version. Yet, the difference is very apparent on the wrist. More so, it makes more significant room for the number of AP Royal Oak lovers who can don the Royal Oak’s legendary design.

• Fresh Openworked And Flying Tourbillon Royal Oak Timepieces

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak at 50 will be incomplete without mentioning the Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked 26735 50th Anniversary Stainless Steel. What you have here is a range of timepieces that takes the entire function and form game a notch higher. Away from the regular chronographs and time-and-date versions of the Royal Oak, now, we have something different. This new range of wristwatches comes in as an array of fresh openworked and flying tourbillon timepieces.  One fascinating part to this is the inclusion of the Audemars Piguet’s first-ever openworked Royal Oak that now also comes with a flying tourbillon. With the new openworked models, AP Royal Oak lovers will get 39mm cases. In addition, the different models that come with flying tourbillons will all come with 41mm cases. On a general note, these are the additions to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak at 50 in the openworked department:

• First, there are two new openworked Royal Oak models. These models are available in steel or pink gold depending on what your preference is. 
• Then, there are three new flying tourbillon references. These references are also available in steel, pink gold, or titanium. Meanwhile, for anyone who prefers the openworked flying tourbillon, you can get it solely offered in stainless steel. 

Conclusively, the “Jumbo” ref. 16202 will most likely be the most talked-about fresh release that marks the AP Royal Oak at 50 celebrations. Yet, these openworked and flying tourbillon versions will stand in place for some of the most premium and outstanding versions of the distinctive and time-honored Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

Conclusion

Below is the entire summary of the exploits in watchmaking presented by this Swiss watch manufacturer to mark the AP Royal Oak at 50:

• The Noteworthy New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 16202 “Jumbo”
• The Updated New Royal Oak Chronograph Wristwatches
• The New Mid-Size Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37mm
• Fresh Openworked And Flying Tourbillon Royal Oak Timepieces

With all of these new additions to the AP Royal Oak array, Audemars Piguet once more shows why the brand is a pacesetter. From 1972 till date, it has been watchmaking greatness and more timekeeping exploits. Now, with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak at 50, here is a sign of many more to come.