The Innovative Design of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

　　Audemars Piguet Royal OakIn the watch world, it is synonymous with high-end stainless steel watches. Whether considering the hexagonal screws on the octagonal bezel, the Tapisserie patterned dial, or the integrated bracelet, this classic design born in 1972 has grown increasingly rich in charm after countless years of refinement and accumulation, becoming one of the most recognisable classic collections in the realm of haute horlogerie.

　　Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches are a familiar name to every watch aficionado. As Audemars Piguet's flagship collection, the Royal Oak has evolved into a multitude of different versions over more than 40 years. Although varying in size, material, and movement, it still fully preserves its highly recognisable DNA.

　　The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak collection made its public debut at the Basel Watch Fair in 1972, though it was conceived a year prior since it was not released in Italy for market testing (then Audemars Piguet's most important market). According to the original designer Gérald Genta, his inspiration came from the diving helmets worn by divers performing maintenance on the dam of the River Rhône in Geneva. Nevertheless, Audemars Piguet named it after the HMS Royal Oak, a warship belonging to the British Royal Navy, with the octagonal porthole representing the shape of the bezel.

　　Of course, upon its inception, the Royal Oak was not immediately accepted and welcomed by the market. Given the environment of the era, such a bold and unconventional design was difficult for consumers to accept at first. This meant that it too lay low for several years before shining brightly. In the early 70s of the 20 century, the Swiss watchmaking industry faced tremendous challenges and crises; the outbreak of the oil crisis and the advent of the quartz crisis meant watchmakers could not fully display their abilities. Most luxury watchmakers conservatively adopted small case diameters, classical designs, and gold cases. Yet the Royal Oak burst onto the scene with a stainless steel case, large dimensions, and a heavily industrial aesthetic. As a stainless steel watch priced higher than gold watches, the Royal Oak broke conventions and won the favour of figures such as Fiat Chairman Giovanni Agnelli and French actor Alain Delon, the latter of whom appeared on the big screen wearing the Royal Oak in the films Boomerang (1976), Cop's Honour (1985), and Let Sleeping Cops Lie.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak automatic mechanical watch 15300ST.OO.1220ST.03

　　With technology steadily maturing and improving, in 2012 Audemars Piguet released several new creations to mark the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak, among which the 39 mm version is almost identical to the original piece, with the only subtle difference beingAudemars Piguet Royal Oakthe updated dial font and the altered date window. Employing an ultra-thin movement, this configuration established the success of the original piece, stripping away repetitive designs while retaining the elegance of a luxury watch.