SIGNED AUDEMARS PIGUET, ROYAL OAK MODEL, REF. 15202BC, CASE NO. K38997, CIRCA 2020

To the excitement of many collectors and watch enthusiasts, Audemars Piguet unveiled the Royal Oak reference 15202BC in 2019 featuring the favored 39 mm. 'Jumbo' case with an ultra-thin construction measuring only 8 mm. The 'Jumbo' Royal Oak is the most favorable amongst collectors as it is the closest modern descendant of the original Royal Oak. The timepiece is stealthily crafted from 18k white gold and features a pink gold-toned 'Petite Tapisserie' dial. It has a pleasing and attractive color, and provides a distinguished contrast to the white case metal. Luminous white gold hands and applied luminous white gold hour markers provide the Royal Oak design DNA. The white gold case has a sapphire crystal caseback allowing for one to view the caliber 2121 automatic movement with a decorated gold rotor.

Gerald Genta and the Royal Oak
The Royal Oak was released by Audemars Piguet in 1972 and designed by Gerald Genta, who later designed the Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 3700. Radically different in design than anything Audemars Piguet had produced before, the Royal Oak stunned the watch industry. Made of steel, the name of the model came from the historical Boscobel oak tree in England where King Charles II hid from Cromwell’s army in 1651. The Royal Oak name was later applied to multiple British naval ships between 1769 and 1914. With a well-balanced design inspired by the portholes of sailing vessels, the model has become an unquestionable icon of the modern age.