AUDEMARS PIGUET, ROYAL OAK REF. 4100BA, A RARE GOLD WRISTWATCH WITH THE SIGNATURE OF SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM

The Royal Oak Ref. 4100 was launched in 1977 as a mid-size version (35 mm.) of the 39-mm-wide iconic Ref. 5402. Unlike the Gerald Genta-designed Ref. 5402, the mid-size version was designed by Jacqueline Dimier and was also the first Royal Oak to be equipped with a centre-seconds hands. Right from the outset, it was produced in steel, yellow gold and two-tone versions. According to Audemars Piguet, around 2,130 pieces were made in yellow gold between 1977 and 1988.

The present lot has the distinction of carrying the name of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current ruler of Dubai, who was in the 1980's the Defence Minister of the United Arab Emirates. Gulf royalty and some prestigious government establishments would sometimes commission watches with their name/ signature or crest on the dial or caseback; these watches were given as State gifts. Often times they found their way back to the secondary market and over the years these signed dials have become much-sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.

To accommodate his signature on the top half of the dial, the Audemars Piguet script has been moved to bottom half. Sheikh Mohammad’s name has appeared on vintage Rolex wristwatches in the past, but we’ve hardly seen any on vintage Audemars Piguet models. According to the heritage department at Audemars Piguet, the present timepiece was sold in 1980 to the Dubai-based retailer Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons.

This is a rare opportunity for the discerning few to acquire a really special vintage Royal Oak.