Audemars Piguet Royal Oak the Legacy Ceramic Men's Watch 26378IO.OO.A001KE.01
View Similar Items
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak the Legacy Ceramic Men's Watch 26378IO.OO.A001KE.01
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:
- Place of Origin:Switzerland
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:The case of this watch has the titanium case protectors on the left and right sides of the case have visible minor scuffs in edges and the bezel has a tiny scratch.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 305431stDibs: LU1310311647172
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 Bvlgari, 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.
- Audemars Piguet Pride of China Rose Gold Black Dial Watch 26168SR.OO.1220SR.01By Audemars PiguetLocated in New York, NYPre-owned in good condition. No original box and papers. 2-year warranty. Brand and Model Information: Brand: Audemars Piguet Model: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Pride...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsRose Gold, Stainless Steel
- Audemars Piguet Rubberclad Steel Silver Dial Watch 25940SK.OO.D002CA.02.ABy Audemars PiguetLocated in New York, NYPre-owned Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 42mm Rubberclad Steel Chronograph Silver Dial Automatic Men's Watch25940SK.OO.D00...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsSteel
- Royak Oak Offshore Ceramic 18K Yellow Gold Black Dail Watch 26420CE.OO.A127CR.01By Audemars PiguetLocated in New York, NYBrand New. Comes with the original box and papers. * Free Shipping within the USA * Five-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can verify the watc...Category
2010s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold
$67,000Free Shipping - Patek Philippe Complications White Gold Blue Dial Mens Watch 5960/01G-001By Patek PhilippeLocated in New York, NYPre-owned Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar White Gold Men's Watch 5960/01G-001. The watch comes with two sets of straps and closures: mint preowned, 21-16mm, 100-65mm brown grainy pattern leather strap on the 18K white gold buckle and a brand new, 21-16mm, 120-65mm blue matte alligator pattern leather strap on the 18K white gold deployment buckle. This Beautiful Timepiece is Powered by a Mechanical (automatic) Movement and Features: 18k White Gold Case with a Brown Leather Strap. Fixed 18k White Gold Bezel. Blue Dial with Luminous Hands and Indexes Hour Markers. Annual Calendar Displaying, Date, Day and Month, Chronograph, Power Reserve Indicator, Exhibition Case Back. Sapphire Crystal. Water-resistant. No Original Box and Papers Are Included. Comes with Chronostore Presentation Box and Chronostore Authenticity Card. Covered by 1-year Chronostore Warranty. Brand Patek Philippe Type Wristwatch Department Men Model Number 5205G-013 Country/Region of Manufacture Switzerland Style Dress/Formal,Luxury Model Patek Philippe Complications Vintage No Year Manufactured 2010-Now Customized No Handedness Left Box Chronostore Giftbox Included Papers Chronostore Certificate With Papers No Seller Warranty Yes SKU 00615 Band Color Blue Band Material Leather Closure Deployant Band Type Two-Piece Strap Band Width 16 mm Lug Width 21 mm Wrist Fit Adjustable Movement Caliber Patek Philippe caliber 324...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
- Rolex Submariner Date Steel Ceramic Black Dial Men's Watch 126610LNBy RolexLocated in New York, NYUnworn. Comes with the original box and papers. Brand: Rolex Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Model Number: 126610LN Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Style: Luxury,S...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsSteel
- Rolex Submariner Date Steel Ceramic Black Dial Men's Watch 126610LNBy RolexLocated in New York, NYUnworn. 2023 Card Full set. Comes with the original box and papers. * Free Shipping within the USA * Five-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsSteel
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor Ceramic 26165IO.OO.A002CA.01 LimitedBy Audemars PiguetLocated in New York, NYLimited & Numbered Edition of 1000 Pieces Worldwide! 265/1000 From the famous Royal Oak Offshore collection with the immediately recognizable hexagon design bezel secured by 8 screws...Category
Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsTitanium
$41,650Free Shipping - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Shaq Men's WatchBy Audemars PiguetLocated in New York, NYAudemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Shaq 47mm Men's Watch Limited Edition New Box Papers free overnight shipping insured shop with confidenceCategory
2010s Swiss Wrist Watches
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 18K Rose Gold Men's WatchBy Audemars PiguetLocated in New York, NYAudemars Piguet Royal Oak 41mm 18K Rose Gold Men's Watch comes with Original Box excellent condition!! runs perfect! free overnight ins...Category
2010s European Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsRose Gold
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Steel Mens Watch 15720ST.OO.A027CA.01 UnwornBy Audemars PiguetLocated in New York, NYAbsolutely UNWORN Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 15720ST.OO.A027CA.0. 42mm diameter x 14.1mm height, stainless steel, glare-proofed sapphire...Category
2010s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 45 Cts E VVS Diamond Men's WatchBy Audemars PiguetLocated in New York, NYAudemars Piguet Offshore 18K Gold and Stainless Steel Iced Out 45 Carats Diamonds box papers excellent condition E vvs collection diamonds...Category
2010s European Art Deco Wrist Watches
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Grande Complication Watch 26065OR.OO.D088CR.01By Audemars PiguetLocated in Southampton, PAWho can say no to this exquisite rose gold Grande Complication from Audemars Piguet? A rare gem, this Royal Oak Grande Complication ref. 26065OR.OO.D088CR.01 is a skeletonized wristw...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Rose Gold