Live Auction 12160Rare Watches & Exceptional Complications
Audemars Piguet. A Fine and attractive Stainless Steel Automatic Wristwatch with Date and Bracelet
Lot 71 Property of A Private Collector

Audemars Piguet. A Fine and attractive Stainless Steel Automatic Wristwatch with Date and Bracelet

Signed Audemars Piguet, Automatic, Royal Oak A-Series Model, No. A 1440, Circa 1972

Closed7 June 2016

Price Realised

USD 37,500

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Audemars Piguet. A Fine and attractive Stainless Steel Automatic Wristwatch with Date and Bracelet
Signed Audemars Piguet, Automatic, Royal Oak A-Series Model, No. A 1440, Circa 1972
Cal. 2121 automatic lever movement, 37 jewels, textured blue dial, applied luminous baton numerals, outer minute divisions, date aperture, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, octagonal screwed bezel and case back secured by eight screws, stainless steel Audemars Piguet link bracelet and deployant clasp, overall approximate length 6 inches, case, dial, and movement signed

39mm diam.

Specialist note

In 1972, Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak model in stainless steel. Designed by Gerald Genta, the watch featured an octagonal screwed bezel which was initially inspired by a ship's porthole. Audemars Piguet produced the Royal Oak in a series of 1000 watches, hoping that the model would appeal to customers of luxurious and limited edition watches. A second series of 1000 Royal Oak "A" serial numbers was produced before they progressed on to the "B" series, "C" series, and so on.

The present watch is part of the first 2000 Royal Oaks ever created, with the serial number "A1440". It has an original "A-series" dial, with the AP logo above the 6 o'clock, and reads "Swiss" below the 6 o'clock. The present watch is a fine example of a Royal Oak "A-Series" which is in nearly mint condition and maintains all of its original charm and integrity.