Audemars Piguet. A very fine, rare and early stainless steel automatic wristwatch with date and bracelet

The property of an important Middle Eastern private collector, the present wristwatch is bestowed with a very attractive and well preserved dial as well as a stainless steel case of strong proportions featuring well defined edges. An iconic model of the Audemars Piguet Manufacture, the Royal Oak “A-series” can be considered as part of the most collectible luxury sport timepieces ever created. Designed overnight by the celebrated Gérald Genta, and later qualified the masterpiece of his career, the Royal Oak secured a discerning and informed audience and became throughout the years the emblem of the Manufacture.

The present watch is part of the first 1000 “A-series” Royal Oaks ever created, with the serial number "A 264", the 264th piece to be made. It has an original "A-series" dial, with the AP logo above the 6 o'clock index, and reads "Swiss" below 6 o'clock. This first series was numbered from A 0001 to A 2000. Indeed, after having sold out the first 1'000 pieces, the eventual success of this model was such that Audemars Piguet took the decision to increase the production to 2'000 pieces. After the “A-series” sold out, they progressed on to the "B" series, "C" series, and so on.