When a luxury brand announces the launch of an exclusive anniversary model, you know it’s going to be something special. And when Audemars Piguet teased the release of their 50th-anniversary royal oak luxury watch, we knew it would be something worth getting our hands on and reviewing for our customers and followers.
Without further ado, here is our summary of the special anniversary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak – considering how it differs from the standard collection and what makes the 50th-anniversary piece so unique.
History of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Audemars Piguet is a watch brand, founded in 1875, with the Royal Oak serving as one of its most popular collections since it was launched in 1972. As a brand, Audemars Piguet has created and debuted many firsts in the world of watchmaking and timepiece accessories, with the Royal Oak collection recognised for its leap into the world of both aesthetic and technical advancement. The brand was founded and still operates from Geneva, making this a brand which is built on Swiss watch machinery and design.
The most important thing to note about the Royal Oak watch as a collection is that it marked a move which united sports watches with luxury accessories – demonstrating how a functional and practical sports watch could be part of the luxury timepiece market. Taking this point further, it is said that the design of the Royal Oak watch is inspired by the look of a diver’s brass helmet and that the name Royal Oak comes from the name of a series of eight vessels in Britain’s Royal Navy at the time of the original design.
So, how does that design concept and all that inspiration follow through into the 50th-anniversary model?
What model of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is this watch?
The full identification number of this particular Royal Oak model is 15551ST.22.1356ST.03 – however, it is more commonly known as the 50th-anniversary edition.
What makes this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch so unique?
Released as an exclusive 50th-anniversary edition of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch, it follows that this watch boasts a selection of unique and innovative features.
Considering the spec of the watch, the slim design makes it different from many of the chunky models which are popular on the modern market – however, it also affords this model the delicacy of a celebratory watch which is made for those special occasions. The case and strap are both made from stainless steel, with the slight angle of the face creating the illusion that the diameter of the watch is bigger than it is. Perfect for an anniversary edition, this allows the wearer to experience complete comfort (suitable for both men and women) while creating the aesthetic look of something much grander to look at.
This watch is also waterproof to 150m, boasts a geometric engraved design on the watch face, and uses white gold to mark the hour points and the hands.
Finally, the bezel, which is brought to life with 40 diamonds around its circumference with a carat weight of 0.2 carats per stone. Its high polish chamfered edge surround finish makes the bezel stand out and gives this watch an elevated status – that is, you won’t find this kind of hand-finished detail on an ordinary watch, reflecting off different surfaces and allowing your watch to glisten.
How does this model differ from the other Royal Oak models?
The most prominent visual difference between this model and other Royal Oak watches is the 50th anniversary marking on the internal movement seen through the back of the watch, which indicates that this model is exclusive as part of the limited collection.
Another key difference is the addition of the self-winding function in this model, which is integrated into the structure of the watch without affecting the proportions and aesthetic value of the watch. Subtle changes and an evolution in design is the name of the game with the release of the anniversary model, which ensures the same overall look but enhances wearability and accessibility through minuscule changes to size and structure.
How expensive is this Royal Oak model?
The cost of the 50th anniversary Royal Oak watch differs between sellers and auctions; however, the exclusivity of the model is consistently pushing it into five-figure sales – with our piece here at Love Luxury priced at £49,950.
Celebrities that wear Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches
As one of the most prominent luxury watch brands in the world, it follows that the Audemars Piguet brand has a lot of celebrity fans and followers. Wearers of the Royal Oak watch specifically include:
- Dwayne Johnson
- Justin Theroux
- Justin Bieber
- James Corden
How to get an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch
Audemars Piguet produces 40,000 watches every year, meaning that demand is far higher than supply and therefore creating an intense coveted status around each and every model.
If you want to get your hands on any Audemars Piguet watch from the Royal Oak collection, not to mention this anniversary model, you will likely need to peruse and sign up with multiple preloved stores and face a lengthy wait to see if the model you are after is sold to the store.
Is it worth investing in an Audemars Piguet watch?
If you didn’t notice the investment watch boom which started around 2017, then let us tell you a little about it. Likely started by social media, the incredible uptake in interest around designer watches means that any luxury brand like Audemars Piguet is selling on the resale and brand new market for higher prices than ever before.
Provided you seek valuation and authentication services from a reputable expert or seller like Love Luxury, an Audemars Piguet watch will put you on the investment ladder and likely earn you a great return should you choose to sell your item in the future.
For more information on buying or selling an Audemars Piguet watch, visit our Knightsbridge store or get in touch.
