Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37m Purple Dial Limited Edition 100
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:
- Case Material:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Chronograph:Yes
- Case Dimensions:Width: 1.46 in (37 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2023
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3021221903762
Royal Oak Watch
For vintage watch collectors everywhere, Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak is a stylish, widely coveted status symbol. It features the incorporation of an unconventional material that would one day prove revolutionary to watchmaking, and for celebrated Swiss designer Gérald Genta (1931–2011), it is perhaps his best-known work. Incredibly, its story begins with a simple inspiration: the humble screw.
First introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak wristwatch featured a now-legendary design that Genta borrowed from antique diving helmets. More hardware than garment, these helmets were crafted in brass and attached to a diving suit with large screws. Genta translated the motif from the rim of the diving helmet to Audemars Piguet’s newest timepiece, setting eight miniature screws into an octagonal bezel, which surrounded a textured “tapisserie,” or tapestry, dial. Following its launch at what would become the Baselworld watch and jewelry fair, Audemars Piguet aptly touted a “bezel locked dramatically to its face, tightly as a porthole.”
In addition to its unique bezel design, the Royal Oak — named for a group of vessels in Britain’s Royal Navy, according to legend — was also unorthodox for its material. Though stainless steel is a ubiquitous option on watches today, in the early 1970s its use was visionary. The Royal Oak was the first luxury sports timepiece to be made from the durable material — a perfect choice for blending the form and function that are now synonymous with sports watches.
Stainless steel also allowed for a more integrated connection between case and band, paving the way for the seamless bracelet-style bands that have since been adopted by nearly every watchmaker. The knit-like design of the Royal Oak’s band is echoed by the original model's trademark tapisserie dial, a guilloché backdrop achieved by a precise engraving process. The textural element, paired with the Royal Oak’s sturdy steel and delicate yet industrial screws, gives the timepiece a unique combination of elegance and weight.
Arguably the most prolific freelance watch designer in history, Genta designed timepieces for Omega, Patek Philippe, Cartier and Bulgari, to name a few, but the Royal Oak remains one of his most influential. Since the debut of the original, Audemars Piguet has continued to issue new collections of the style, including men’s and women’s versions in yellow and pink gold, models encircled with diamonds and many more.
Audemars Piguet
The story of celebrated family-owned manufacturer Audemars Piguet and its universally acclaimed, widely coveted luxury watches begins deep in the Jura Mountains in western Switzerland.
The Vallée de Joux has been a haven of watchmaking since the late 18th century, when the residents of farming communities began creating timepieces during the winter months.
Jules Louis Audemars (1851–1918) and Edward Auguste Piguet (1853–1919), both natives of the region, were already deeply entrenched in the world of watchmaking when they joined forces to form a new house of horology near the end of the 19th century, an alliance that would be the start of a multigenerational family company. With complementary specialties within the field, Audemars and Piguet made the perfect pair in 1875: Audemars, the more technically minded of the two, oversaw production, while Piguet specialized in quality control and led the business and marketing parts of the outfit.
Audemars Piguet’s first major milestone came in 1892, when it created the world’s first minute-repeating movement for a wristwatch. (It was sold to Omega, whose origins date to 1848.) That was soon followed in 1899 with the Universelle pocket watch, a masterpiece of horology that boasted a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, alarm and chronograph with jumping seconds. It is still said to be the most complicated timepiece that Audemars Piguet has ever designed.
Between 1918 and 1919, both founders of Audemars Piguet had died and were replaced by their respective sons, incidentally both named Paul. Under the leadership of Paul Louis Audemars and Paul Edward Piguet, the watchmaker continued to innovate. It retained an ever-evolving technical focus and found new praise for its efforts, producing the world’s thinnest pocket-watch caliber in 1925, the first skeletonized pocket watch in 1934 and the world’s thinnest wristwatch in 1946.
When the quartz crisis of the 1970s left many watchmakers in the lurch, Audemars and Piguet found a creative solution, tapping the Geneva-born Gérald Genta to conceive the first-ever luxury watch in stainless steel. Launched at what would become the Baselworld watch and jewelry fair in 1972, the Royal Oak, with its octagonal face and integrated bracelet, would come to define the look of Audemars Piguet and revolutionize the luxury wristwatch industry, setting a standard that continues to this day.
Find a collection of vintage Audemars Piguet wristwatches and pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Big PEARL AND DIAMOND PENDANT/NECKLACELocated in London, EnglandBig CULTURED PEARL AND DIAMOND PENDANT/NECKLACE Cultured pearl Brilliant-cut diamonds, approx. 0.75ct total French assay marks Lengths: pendant 3.2cm, necklace 42.4cm Weight approx. ...Category
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
- Chanel long medallion necklace gold with chanel cc logoBy ChanelLocated in London, EnglandCHANEL Medallion Gold Chain Pendant Necklace Engraved CC crystal logo. New with box, ribbon and dustbag.Category
2010s Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
- Van Cleef & Arpels 16 motifs Magic Alhambra tiger eye and carnelianBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, EnglandVan Cleef & Arpels 18k yellow gold necklace 16 motifs alhambra from the Magic Alhambra collection. The necklace comprises of 16 iconic 4 leaf clover motifs alternating in size, set w...Category
2010s Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsCarnelian
- Juste un Clou necklace rose gold diamondsBy CartierLocated in London, EnglandJUSTE UN CLOU NECKLACE Juste un Clou necklace, rose gold 750/1000, set with 36 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.38 carats. Width: 2.2 mm. Inner diameter: 14.2 mm. Adjustable chain ...Category
2010s French Modern Pendant Necklaces
- Diamond double clip BroochLocated in London, EnglandDIAMOND DOUBLE-CLIP BROOCH Cushion-shaped and rose-cut diamonds Cushion-shaped diamonds approx. 2.65cts total French assay marks Length 5.6cm Weight approx. 18.5g Footnotes: French a...Category
Antique 17th Century French Art Nouveau Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Paul Amey "Kizmet Jade" Ladies Watch Bracelet With Longines Case and MovementBy Paul AmeyLocated in Tewantin, QueenslandEmbark on a journey of opulence with the "Kismet Jade" watch bangle, a masterpiece meticulously designed and handcrafted by the acclaimed jeweller Paul Amey. This extraordinary creat...Category
2010s Australian Artisan Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Jade, Pearl, 18k Gold
- Rolex GMT Master Vintage Rare Nipple Dial 40 Yellow Gold Jubilee Ref 16758By RolexLocated in București, ROThe watch is in a good condition and it’s working well. The total lenght of the bracelet (case+bracelet) is 17.5cm. It shows signs of wear and scratches. The watch comes with an AGS ...Category
Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Breitling Navitimer 1 Chronograph 46mm Steel Blue Dial Leather Strap AB012721By BreitlingLocated in București, ROThe watch is in a very good condition and it’s working well. The total length of the bracelet (case+bracelet) is between 17-20 cm. It shows slight signs of wear. It has scratches on ...Category
2010s Romanian Wrist Watches
MaterialsSteel
- Omega Seamaster 300By OmegaLocated in London, GBA very special example of a highly sought after and rare watch! Every now and again you get a watch that just blows you away and this is just that. An Omega Seamaster 300 from 1961 accompanied with box, papers and recent Omega Service! This Seamaster dates to 1961 as per the '182' serial number. In fine working order the watch has has a comprehensive service and overhaul at Omega themselves in February 2023 costing in excess of £1000! Fortunately the dial, bezel and hands appear to be original to the watch although the second hand is clearly a service part. What blows you away is not just the way that dial has aged over the years is that this collectors piece comes complete with original box and guarantee from the original retailer 'Charles Packer...Category
Vintage 1960s Wrist Watches
- Chopard Happy Diamond 18k Gold Factory DiamondsBy ChopardLocated in Ramat Gan, ILChopard Happy Diamonds, Swiss Made, In Solid 18k Yellow Gold, Both Case & Bracelet. Amazing Shine, Incredible Craftsmanship. Great Statement Piece. Factory Set Diamonds On The Case, ...Category
1990s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- IWC Portofino Romana Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phase, 18 Karat Gold, IW2050By IWCLocated in Berlin, DEIWC Portofino Romana Perpetual Calendar 18 Karat Gold, IW2050 From private collection. Including certificate of authenticity.Category
20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold