A very rare Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with an even rarer dial, so scarce we can not find another! Model reference possibly 6005SA
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
Information on Audemars Piguet watches is quite hard to find. There doesn’t seem to be a list of model references available online, so this is a watch we will be taking to our nearest AP boutique to order an extract from the archives for (in person is the only way, and our nearest boutique is 3 hours away.) However we have found that the movement in this model was only available from 1977 to 1980, and as this has a possibly unique dial it may have been a run out model from 1980. If you can help with the research then please do contact us.
CONDITION
The Royal Oak was launched in 1972 with a round dial and and octagonal bezel, and remains one of the most sought after luxury sports watches you can buy (if you are one of the wealthy few that can afford one.) In 1977 they bought out a separate line of rectangular watches with some of the same design influences, such as the slim case and the distinctive and very comfortable bracelet. These ran for about 10 years, but didn’t sell in the same numbers as the original design.
All of the rectangular watches were quartz powered, which was very much en vogue during this period. And case sizes were either 29 or 32 mm wide without the crown (remember, square or rectangular watches cover more wrist than round watches so they wear larger.) You will find examples for sale, but this watch has something we have not seen on any of the others – a plain white dial. Every other rectangular Royal Oak has the distinctive tapisserie raised squares in grey, but this is a pure white dial with the same tapisserie raised pattern. It is also marked Audemars Piguet Geneve, when AP are based in La Brassus. Geneve was added only to the dial if the watch was sold from the AP boutique in Geneva. The dial is overall in very good condition, but the photos do show a small discolouration near the 11 hour baton. The movement is the 11 jewel calibre 2511, which like some of the Omega watches of the period allows you to move the hour hand via the crown, but the minute hand is adjusted via a pusher. The thinking was that you often need to adjust hours, either for daylight saving time adjustments or if you cross the international time zone lines, but the quartz movement was so accurate that adjusting this wasn’t needed often at all. The bracelet is the same pattern as all Royal Oak’s, and this one is large enough for most people and has very little flex or wear at all. In fact, the condition of the entire watch is first class, with just the very lightest marks to the gold on the left hand side and on the case back. The bezel is 18k gold, as is the case back and the connecting links of the bracelet, and like all Audemars Piguet this watch is beautifully made and finished.
If this watch looks familiar it is because we have sold it previously, but bought the watch back from the customer.
This watch will be supplied with our branded bamboo presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 34.3 mm
Width without crown 32.0 mm
Lug to lug length 40.9 mm
Case Thickness 7.0 mm
Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 185 mm. The bracelet can be sized for you if you give us your wrist size when placing the order.
All sizes are approximate.
Included with this watch is a 6 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
