There are some luxury goods that represent more than just a popular, high-quality, and expensive product to invest in.
The Royal Oak watch is a timepiece that offers so much more than a high price tag and quality material base. An integral part of the collection and history of the Audemars Piguet brand, the Royal Oak captured a whole new audience for the luxury brand and carried Audemars Piguet through a challenging period for both the brand and the watch industry as a whole.
Today, the Royal Oak remains Audemars Piguet’s most coveted timepiece and is considered one of the best investments on the luxury goods market – whether you opt for a vintage model or one of the more modern iterations.
But how has popular culture and celebrity demand shaped the rise of the Royal Oak? Let’s take a closer look.
The Story Behind the Royal Oak
To understand the rise and popularity of the Royal Oak watch, there are a couple of things that you need to know.
The Royal Oak was first dreamed up in 1971 in response to the risk of financial collapse, unless Audemars Piguet could come up with something to recapture the interest and excitement of the market. Potential interest in a luxury steel watch, and the rising demand for timepieces that could bridge elegance and style with underlying function, inspired Audemars Piguet to try and create something that had never been done before – a sports watch with luxury finishes and built-in durability.
The night before the brand was scheduled to announce a release, they contacted Gerald Genta – a designer who was renowned for his work with several luxury brands and for spearheading new innovations and creations on the market. Briefed at 4pm to create something special to announce the next morning, Genta came up with the Royal Oak: a sports watch that was constructed from steel but offered the kind of quality that only the finest watches on the market could boast.
And so the Royal Oak was born, complete with its octagonal bezel, visible gold screws, and its waterproof case that enhanced the practical sports watch features of the piece.
The Role of the Royal Oak in Pop Culture
The Royal Oak was originally briefed to be a luxury sports watch, using stainless steel as the underlying and foundational material, and with luxury finishes that carried this primarily functional timepiece into the luxury sector.
However, over the course of its 52-year history (at the time of writing in 2024), the Royal Oak has proved just how versatile it is and can be, thanks to the plethora of finishes and integrated features, as well as the wide range of buyers and Royal Oak enthusiasts who own their own piece of Audemars Piguet history.
One only needs to look at the extensive collection of Royal Oak models now available – some with diamond-encrusted bezels while others are chunky in design; some are more streamlined and others boast colourful watch faces – to realise that the popularity of this piece lies in how versatile it is.
There’s a Royal Oak for everyone, and for the celebrities who choose to invest in pieces like this, there is nothing quite so coveted as a unique standalone piece that only they have.
One of the most iconic moments for the Royal Oak had to be back in 1979, when world-famous Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld wore an all-black Royal Oak. Since then, countless celebrities have worn their Royal Oak watches while partaking in a variety of tasks, proving just how easy it is to integrate the Royal Oak into any style, industry, and activity.
Celebrity Fans of the Royal Oak
Some of the most prominent celebrity fans, and those who have introduced the Royal Oak in its various iterations and finishes to the wider market, include:
- Ed Sheeran, who has worn a Royal Oak when performing
- John Mayer
- Hay-Z, who has mentioned the Audemars Piguet brand in his music
- LeBron James
- Kylie Jenner
- Drake
- Justin Bieber
- Will Smith
- Serena Williams
The list goes on – and doesn’t just span celebrities’ personal lives. It’s also worth noting that Royal Oak watches have been used in the integration of character profiles. Examples include Damian Lewis in his portrayal of Billions’s cold-blooded CEO of Axe Capital, Bobby Axelrod, and Arnold Schwarzenegger in End of Days.
Is a Royal Oak Watch a Good Investment?
Suffice to say, the Royal Oak has made countless appearances on the wrists of prominent figures – from the red carpet to world tours, stages, and on the big screen.
And, while all of this serves to highlight the versatility of the timepiece and its suitability to countless uses and occasions, it also helps in bolstering the demand and status of the timepiece as an investment.
When a watch or other luxury accessory boasts the kind of attention that the Royal Oak commands, you can put a fairly safe bet on it being a good investment. Add this to the exclusive release of each and every model, and the story behind the watch as an innovative release spearheaded by Gerald Genta, and you have a watch that’s not only exceptionally well made but also akin to owning a piece of history.
To buy a Royal Oak from any era is to own a small slice of Audemars Piguet’s – and the luxury timepiece industry’s – history. Whether you’re looking for an early vintage piece or something with a sleeker design and modern features, buying an authentic Royal Oak is an excellent way to invest in a tangible product that will likely hold if not increase in value over time.
Visit your local boutique reseller to browse the available models and timepieces, and to find out more about this iconic and history-making branch of Audemars Piguet watches.
