Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 50th Anniversary

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is perhaps Gerald Genta’s most memorable work, and in many ways changed the shape of the watch industry.

The Royal Oak essentially created an entirely new category of 'luxury sport' timepieces, and with it came a new design language which inspired countless other manufactures. What's particularly delightful about the design of the Royal Oak is that it works brilliantly in a number of sizes, from diminutive vintage ladies pieces right on up to the largest Offshore and Concept RD models.

In 2022, Audemars Piguet celebrated 50 years of their iconic watch by releasing an collection of commemorative models. While models received a drastic design revamp, while others saw incremental changes. This 37mm time and date Royal Oak model represented something of an in-between.  

This piece, a Reference 15550ST.OO.1356ST.06, features a 37mm stainless steel construction with its signature octagonal-shaped case, bezel and crown. The contrast between satin and polished finishes are more distinguishable thanks to its larger bevels. The ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ tapisserie dial, a new shade introduced to the RO midsize line in the 50th Anniversary Collection, features applied indices, a matching handset, date window at 3 o’clock and a minute track printed directly onto the textured dial as opposed to the outer part of the dial seen on previous models. 

Beating away at its core is the automatic-winding Calibre 5900, which is visible through a sapphire display back. It comes fitted with its signature integrated steel bracelet which also highlights another welcomed change with more trapezoidal-shaped links located near the case. As a result, the bracelet has an eye-catching taper and melts right on to the wrist. 

This example remains in outstanding condition, lightly worn and devoid of any glaring blemishes. It also comes with its complete original set, including inner and outer boxes, a full complement of links, books, warranty card, and a Certificate of Origin dated 2022.

Try it on the wrist once, and you'll have a tough time taking it off, we guarantee it!

There are certain watches that define a brand, informing its design ethos and becoming nothing short of iconic in the minds of collectors. For Audemars Piguet, that watch is the Royal Oak, in all its multitudinous incarnations. Yet the manufacture from Le Brassus did not earn its seat in the triumvirate of leading watch brands — the so-called Big Three — on the success of the Royal Oak alone.

In fact, both Jules Audemars and Edward Piguet came from long lines of watchmakers, and made their reputations long before the Royal Oak was conceived. Their reputations rested on their ability to create incredibly elegant timepieces in numerous styles. While some of these timepieces were simple, elegant dress watches, others were one-off or short-series pieces produced at the rate of a handful per year. (Some years, Audemars Piguet only produced a few hundred watches in total.) Calendar watches, chronographs, minute repeaters — all the delights of haute horlogerie were part and parcel of the AP oeuvre long before the Royal Oak made its debut in 1972.

Technical innovations from AP abound and include the first minute-repeating movement, the first skeleton watch and an ultra-thin automatic tourbillon. Newer collections, such as the Code 11.59 from 2019, see the maison continue to develop new and exciting watches and calibers, the likes of which aren’t based upon tired horological tropes from models past. (Though if vintage reissues are your bag, AP does have a special “Remaster” line — currently consisting of just one model — that reimagines some of its classical, complicated pieces from the mid-20th century.)

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.