61 Audemars Piguet A highly exclusive and sought-after, Royal Oak, automatic wristwatch in steel, with 'tropical' light-brown dial, full set, reference 14790ST.

Estimate: € 20,000 –⁠ 40,000

The Royal Oak represented a real novelty in the Audemars universe as it was the brand’s first true sporting pride. It was the first luxury watch in steel with integrated bracelet and since its inception was produced in a variety of materials including full gold, platinum, tantalum and often embellished with precious stones. The versatility of the Royal Oak helped make it a model adored by the brand’s elite clientele. The lot here offered is a very nice specimen of the smaller diameter model reference 14790ST manufactured fully in steel. Withstanding the challenge of time, the Royal Oak is an iconic model that has helped Audemars Piguet through the period of the “Quartz Crisis”. The present watch features its iconic octagonal-shaped bezel secured by eight visible hexagonal screws and with an integrated bracelet in stainless steel too. The gray anthracite tapisserie dial is iconic for the Royal Oak, and this one is very particular since it has turned into a very captable “Tropical” light brown color, very affacinating color for any collector really recalling the champagne tone. The dial is completed by its applied baton indexes, date aperture at 3 o’clock and baton hands. Offered in very nice condition, the watch also comes with lots of accessories like its Audemars Piguet Warranty signed Türler & Co, Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece in 1994, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.