Presented as the “holy trinity” in the Swiss watch industry, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet are well-known names that have claimed this unofficial title.

Common for all three brands is that they are complex, exclusive, hard-to-get, feature advanced complications, and top-of-the-line finished watches to mention a few guiding stars. Often, this comes with an expensive price tag, however, it might not always seem to be the case, as there is one particular reference from the holy trinity that seems to be half-forgotten, which offers a lot of watch for the money, which includes many of the above-mentioned guiding stars when it comes to swiss watchmaking. Let’s take a deeper look at the Audemars Piguet 26120OR, often known as the Royal Oak Dual-Time.

The Audemars Piguet 26120OR is part of the Royal Oak model line, which perhaps is the most well-known model from Audemars Piguet.
This particular model features a pink gold case (also known as rose gold), a black stitched alligator strap, and a folding 18k pink gold clasp.

What’s interesting about the reference 26120OR  is the busy dial, a complicated movement that offers a ton of complications which perhaps is the most eye-catching about the watch. The dial is black with the iconic Audemars Piguet Grande Tapisserie pattern. Now, let’s take a deeper look at the specifications of this watch, and an explanation of all the complications.

Caliber 2329 / 2846 

This caliber’s base is a Jaeger Le-Coultre caliber 889, modified by Audemars Piguet. It is also used in other dual-time complication watches by Audemars Piguet, such as the references 26120 and 26380. The caliber used as the base is the Audemars Piguet modified caliber 2329 and has the module 2846 equipped on the movement.

Type of movement: Automatic
Number of Jewels: 33
Power Reserve: 38 hours
Frequency: 28800 VPH
Diameter: 26.5mm
Number of Parts: 261

Complications 

The watch, as described above, features quite a lot of high-end complications. Let’s take a deeper look at each complication and understand why this caliber and watch really is the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking and why Audemars Piguet is seen as a brand that belongs to the holy trinity.

Power Reserve Indicator 

The watch features a power reserve indicator, which can be quite useful considering the watch “only” has 38 hours of power reserve. This is actually rather unusual, as it is fairly low for being a mechanical watch by today’s standards.

However, considering all of the power that is required to power all the complications simultaneously, and the fact is that this watch is automatic, so wearing the watch shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Also, the complication can actually become quite useful and fun to observe, as it is likely that the power reserve indicator will move and indicate the different power reserve hours throughout the day.

A power reserve indicator is just as the name suggests, a complication used to measure how many (in this particular case) hours of the power reserve remain before the watch mainspring is fully unwound and the watch stops ticking.

Dual Time Zone 

The Dual time zone is the sub-dial positioned at the 6 o’clock position which indicates a desired second-time zone. Usually, this is set at the “base time” or “home time”, which would be the country you live in. This way, if you are out and traveling, setting the ordinary hands to a specific time zone, won’t affect this complication which makes it easy to access and keep track of the time zone back at home.

Day & Night Indicator 

The circle on the left next to the dual time zone indicates whether it is 8 PM in the evening or 8 AM in the morning. When the hand is on the white half of the circle, the dual time zone which only indicated 12 hours, suggests that it is 24:00 – 12:00, and when the hand is pointing at the black side of the circle, the time indicated in the dual time zone complication would be from 12:01 – 23:59.

This way, it is easy to tell if it’s 08 AM or PM if you were to be in a completely different time zone where it might be night, whilst it’s daytime at home.

Date indicator

The sub-dial positioned at the 1-3 o’clock position is the date indicator, which, just as the name suggests, is where the indicator is. The date is determined by the local time (ordinary hands).

Sizing, Dimensions & Materials  

Although the watch is rather complex with the different complications and the fact that the base movement caliber 2329 has the module 2846 equipped on top, the watch is actually not as big as you might think. It wears really comfortably, and with the black alligator leather strap, it can actually lean more towards a dressy watch that suits well for formal occasions, although the model itself is a sports model as Audemars Piguet presents it. Having said that, with the alligator leather strap together with the rose gold, we would call this a dress watch rather than a sports watch.

• Case diameter: 39mm.
• Thickness: 10.3mm.
• Strap: Black Alligator with Hand-stitched “large square scale” pattern.
• Glass: Sapphire.
• Water resistance: 50m (Not recommended to swim with).
• Dial: Black with Grande Tapisseries pattern, luminous hour markers.
• Hands: Luminous.
• Case Back: Solid 18k Pink Gold, unfortunately not a see-through case back as you might expect from a non-in-house movement.
• Case & Crown: 18K solid Pink Gold with White Gold Screws on the Bezel.
• Clasp: 18K Pink Gold Folding Clasp.

Our Editors’ Thoughts On The Watch

This watch is a top-of-the-line flagship model from Audemars Piguet, made in an exclusive 18K pink gold material with a hand-stitched alligator strap. With that said, it’s actually fair to say that this watch, at the time of writing this article, is fairly “affordable” compared to similar models not only from Audemars Piguet but also from competitors such as Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.

At this point in time, this watch can be found in good condition and with box & papers for around 35.000 – 38.000 EUR. Seeing the complex watch you get, and having in mind that a 15300OR on a leather strap in a similar condition is being sold for more or less the same amount of money, it’s quite hard to understand why the Audemars Piguet 26120OR is not priced higher on the second-hand market.

With that said, although it can be considered a lot of money, the watch is fairly “affordable” for what you get. Great value for money in other words!

Wrist shots 

Below are some wrist shots of the beautiful Audemars Piguet 26120OR on an 18cm wrist. Enjoy!

The post Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual-Time 26120OR.OO.D002CR.01 Review appeared first on Millenary Watches.

Audemars Piguet is one of the most well-known and prestigious watch brands in the world.

Founded in 1875, the company is also a brand with a long and rich heritage and history. The company has been family-owned since its founding, and has for a long time specialized in haute horology, with beautiful watches made to perfection with incredible attention to detail. Audemars Piguet also highlights its expertise by developing complicated wristwatches including annual calendars, tourbillons, grand complications, and much more. In fact, Audemars Piguet’s created the world’s first minute repeater wristwatch in 1892.

Today, Audemars Piguet is synonymous with the legendary Royal Oak which was originally released in 1972. It’s safe to say that the Royal Oak is one of the most iconic watches in the world.

In this article, we will focus specifically on books about Audemars Piguet Books. Whether you are an Audemars Piguet collector looking to learn more about vintage watches, want to learn more about the brand’s history, or just want a nice coffee table book with beautiful imagery of your favorite brand, you should be able to find a book that you will like in this list.

Without further ado, let’s dig in.

Best Audemars Piguet Books

Audemars Piguet 20th Century Complicated Wristwatches Hardcover 

This hardcover book works as a great coffee table book, but it is its contents that are most important.

This book is focused on the history of Audemars Piguet’s complicated wristwatches. It features thorough and in-depth research about its historic wristwatches. It provides valuable information that you’ll unlikely are able to find anywhere else. It highlights the entire story of Audemars Piguet’s complicated wristwatches, complemented with beautiful quality imagery. It also features archival images, product and technical specifications about a total of 550 rare and complicated timepieces.

With that said, it is simply a must-have for every watch enthusiast.

ROYAL OAK – Audemars Piguet Hardcover

Obviously, there has to be a book about Audemars Piguet’s most important and legendary timepiece.

The Royal Oak book is launched by Audemars Piguet themselves to mark the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak. With that said, it includes valuable in-depth information about the history and evolution of this model, and what better source than from Audemars Piguet themselves which has access to information that no-one else has.

The book has 300 pages, all dedicated to the history of this legendary model. It features beautiful illustrations, vintage Royal Oaks, testimonies, historical anecdotes, both from the present and the history.

This is why this is simply a must-have book.

Audemars Piguet: Masterpieces of Classical Watchmaking Hardcover

As the name suggests, this book is focused on Audemars Piguet masterpieces, in the form of rare and complicated timepieces. It consists of 285 pages with 466 stunning illustrations of Audemars Piguet timepieces.

This book is a true collector’s piece with a focus on vintage Audemars Piguet timepieces which is perfect if you just want to look through beautiful images and get inspired or learn more about the brand’s timepieces. It contains lots of interesting vintage photos and ads which allows you to really dig deep into the brand’s very interesting history.

Audemars Piguet: Master Watchmaker Since 1875 Hardcover

This stylish all-green hardcover coffee table book. It goes all the way back to the origins and beginnings of the brand up until modern day with beautiful imagery and great information.

On several pages, it focuses only on the Royal Oak and its history which is welcomed seeing it is the single most important timepiece from the brand. It is truly a valuable resource with great information, interesting historical details, as well as striking imagery. It offers everything you can expect in a book about a watch brand. 

Audemars Piguet 2011 Collections: Le maitre de l’Horlogerie Depuis 1875 Hardcover

If we could list all the Audemars Piguet collections books, we would, but Audemars Piguet only makes one edition per year, and as time passes, they become more and more difficult to get a hold of. Every AP enthusiast should however at least try to build a collection of all the ”AP collections” books over the years.

These books contain Audemars Piguet’s full collection of timepieces on that particular year, which gives you a valuable insight into the different watches over the years, including novelties and discontinued pieces. They also contain specifications and details about each timepiece, apart from beautiful imagery as well.

If nothing else, the thrill of hunting all of them down is as exciting as hunting a specific watch and building your collection, so why not start with this 2011 edition?

Audemars Piguet books

If you’re looking to learn more about Audemars Piguet and its watches, reading books is an excellent way to do so. These books are generally written by extremely authoritative and knowledgeable individuals who are able to share valuable and in-depth knowledge.

Unfortunately, there are not a ton of books about Audemars Piguet watches as there are about other brands, like Rolex. But the list above contains some of the most popular books on the market that share interesting and valuable information about Audemars Piguet watches and the history of the brand.

A good tip is also that you can consider what it is you want to have in a book. Do you want to learn more about the history of Audemars Piguet watches? Do you want to learn more about specific vintage watches, or something completely different? Look at what the book focuses on and choose accordingly.

Coffee table book or informational?

When making your pick, it is good to consider whether you’re after a coffee table book or a book that is focused on providing in-depth valuable information. Coffee table books are a great complement and interior decoration to any home, and one that is focused on Audemars Piguet watches are especially great for enthusiasts about Audemars Piguet Watches. But it’s also important to keep in mind that coffee table books generally primarily contain photos and not a lot of text. With this said, if you’re looking for in-depth information, a coffee table book is probably not the best choice.

The post Top 5 Audemars Piguet Books [List & Guide] appeared first on Millenary Watches.

Serial numbers are used on every single luxury timepiece. The serial number is unique and only used for one watch by the manufacturer. Think of the serial number as a social security number for watches.

The serial number has numerous purposes on a watch. The first is to help the manufacturer keep track of its watches during production. The other is to make it easier when selling them, as it makes it possible to know exactly which timepiece was sold. Another usage area includes being able to identify a watch if it is stolen or lost. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly in this case, on some watches from some manufacturers, the serial number can be used to identify exactly when a watch was manufactured. And that is exactly what we are going to focus on in this article.

All watch manufacturers have different ways that they use and structure their serial numbers. 

In recent times, more and more watch manufacturers have moved from a serial number system where it is possible to identify when the watch was manufactured, to a system that doesn’t reveal anything (normally so-called random serial numbers). 

Between 1892 and 1975, you can use the serial number of an Audemars Piguet to date when it was manufactured. In this article, you can identify your watch’s serial number format and find the year that matches your watch. If you have a newer, modern watch, it is not possible to look at the serial number and date it.

What you can do, however, is go to Audemars Piguet’s website and type in your serial number there. Today, AP uses an electronically activated warranty card, and on the warranty card are instructions on how to activate (or check the activation date) on your warranty. That way, you will be able to know when it was sold (and thus when the warranty was activated), but not when it was manufactured. In some cases, it is difficult to know exactly when an Audemars Piguet was made, but generally, it is possible using the serial numbers for older AP watches.

Worth noting about older serial numbers is that the years of production and date of sale can be several years apart.

About AP serial numbers

Audemars Piguet manufactures about 40,000 watches per year. As you will see on the caseback of an AP timepiece, there will be lettering that is used apart from the numbers in the case/serial number. This letter is a so-called sequential number. Each letter is switched after 100,000 watches have been produced. Factoring in AP’s yearly production numbers, it will take about two and a half to three years for the sequential number to change.

Since the Audemars Piguet serial numbers have not been officially released by Audemars Piguet, the information about the years of manufacture for the different letterings can vary. 

This is why you should take the AP series number with a pinch of salt.

Where to find Audemars Piguet serial number

Each Audemars Piguet timepiece has a movement number that is engraved on the manipulate, usually next to the balance wheel. Of course, if the watch has a see-through case back, it makes things easy, but if it doesn’t and you want to know the caliber number, the case back needs to be opened.

Furthermore, the watches also have a case number engraved on the outside of the case back. This is what is also known as the serial number.

Audemars Piguet serial numbers

In the serial number of Audemars Piguet watches is a letter. These letters refer to a particular manufacturing series and also help us date Audemars Piguet watches that are newer than 1975.

Below are the series lettering, as originally posted on Rolexforums:

• A Series – 1972 to 1975
• B Series – 1976 to 1979
• C Series – 1980 to 1986
• D Series – 1987 to 1994
• E Series – 1994 to 2000
• F Series – 2001 to 2007
• G Series – 2008 to 2010
• H Series – 2011 To ~2012
• I Series – ~2013 to ~2015
• J Series – ~2016 to…

• 1892:   4341 – 4505
• 1893:   4506 – 5196
• 1894:   5197 – 5436
• 1895:   5437 – 5620
• 1896:   5621 – 5773
• 1897:   5774 – 5990
• 1898:   5991 – 6104
• 1899:   6105 – 6294
• 1900:   6295 – 6724
• 1901:   6725 – 6933
• 1902:   6934 – 7892
• 1903:   7893 – 8717
• 1904:   8718 – 9511
• 1905:   9512 – 10219
• 1906:   10220 – 11575
• 1907:   11576 – 11825
• 1908:   11826 – 12630
• 1909:   12631 – 12851
• 1910:   12852 – 13762
• 1911:   13763 – 14735
• 1912:   14736 – 15589
• 1913:   15590 – 16675
• 1914:   16676 – 16930
• 1915:   16931 – 17725
• 1916:   17726 – 19524
• 1917:   19525 – 20915
• 1918:   20916 – 22925
• 1919:   22926 – 24804
• 1920:   24805 – 27584
• 1921:   27585 – 28820
• 1922:   28821 – 29704
• 1923:   29705 – 30673
• 1924:   30674 – 32713
• 1925:   32714 – 34505
• 1926:   34506 – 36849
• 1927:   36850 – 38576
• 1928:   38577 – 39844
• 1929:   39845 – 41577
• 1930:   41578 – 42531
• 1931:   42532 – 42585
• 1932:   42586 – 42587
• 1933:   42588 – 42626
• 1934:   42627 – 42659
• 1935:   42660 – 42776
• 1936:   42777 – 42874
• 1937:   42875 – 43785
• 1938:   43786 – 43950
• 1939:   43951 – 44647
• 1940:   44648 – 44935
• 1941:   44936 – 45655
• 1942:   45656 – 46551
• 1943:   46552 – 47541
• 1944:   47542 – 47949
• 1945:   47950 – 49595
• 1946:   49596 – 51613
• 1947:   51614 – 53517
• 1948:   53518 – 55550
• 1949:   55551 – 56704
• 1950:   56705 – 57014

1950

• 56705 – 56716
• 56758 – 56811
• 56842 – 56877
• 56889 – 56906
• 56925 – 57014
• 9/10 RS L.E.P.
• 56717 – 56734
• 56747 – 56756
• 568121 – 56841
• 56883 – 56888
• 9/10″ RSQ L.E.P. 
• 56735 – 56746
• 7″ RBG
• 56757
• 56878 – 56882
• 56907 – 56924

1951

• 9″ ML
• 57015 – 57050
• 57093 – 57188
• 57289 – 57408
• 9/10″ RS
• 57051 – 57092
• VZ SSE VALJOUX
• 57189 – 57288
• 6/7″ R L.E.P.

1952

• 13″ VZSS VALJOUX
• 57457 – 57534
• VZSSC
• 57535 – 57556
• VALJOUX
• 61000 – 61099
• 9/10″ RS
• 57557 – 57616
• 57641 – 57700
• 57754 – 57813
• 57874 – 57909
• 61155 – 61187
• 9″ ML
• 57617 – 57640
• 57701 – 57722
• 57724 – 57753
• 57814 – 57873
• 57916 – 57963
• 57982 – 57999
• 61101 – 61154
• 61188 – 61247
• 8″ MN 15/12 LeC
• 57723
• 17 JVEB LeC
• 57910 – 57915
• 61249 – 61254
• GHSMD LeC
• 61248
• 61256 – 61263
• 6/7
• 57964 – 57981
• 7JNN LeC
• 61100
• 7, 5/12 Ch. P.
• 61255
• 10 TS LEP
• 61264 – 61343
• 6/7
• 61344 – 61395

1953

• 2001 LeC
• 58000 – 58699
• 2002 LeC 
• 59500 – 59699
• 2003 LeC
• 60000 – 61149
• 2499 LeC
• 61396 – 61595
• 9″ ML
• 61896 – 61955
• 62456 – 62485
• 62616 – 62645
• 62747 – 62776
• 62842 – 62931
• 63083 – 63112
• 63213 – 63242
• 63247 – 63276
• 17″ JVEB
• 63243 – 63246
• 2498 LeC
• 61956 – 62055
• 13″ VZSS
• 62486 – 62615
• 63277 – 63376
• VZSSC
• 62932 – 63081
• 62647 – 62746
• 10″ TS
• 62777 – 62841
• 18″ LEP
• 63549 – 63552
• 7″ JNN
• 62646
• 8/9 JN 
• 63082

1954

• 2001 LeC
• 58700 – 59199
• 2003 LeC
• 60150 – 60649
• 2005 LeC
• 63113 – 63212
• 9 ML
• 63489 – 63548
• VZSSC
• 63553 – 63652
• 6/7 LEP
• 63747 – 63800
• 9″ L 406
• 63703 – 63712

1955

• 2001 LeC
• 59200 – 59499
• 64811 – 64910
• 65011 – 65110
• 2002 LeC
• 59700 – 59799
• 2003 LeC
• 60650 – 60999
• 63801 – 64400
• 2499 LeC
• 61596 – 61695
• 2498 LeC
• 62056 – 62155
• JVEB
• 65811 – 65822
• VZSS
• 66138 – 66184
• JVB
• 65823 – 65834
• VZSSQP
• 66135 – 66137
• VZSSC
• 66185 – 66234
• JVEB
• 64805 – 64810

1956

• 2002 LeC
• 53800 – 59899
• 2499 LeC
• 61696 – 61795
• 2498 LeC
• 62156 – 62255
• 2003 
• 64401 – 64800
  66241 – 67240
• 2001
• 64911 – 65010
• 65111 – 65320
• 2005
• 65835 – 65934
• ISMCCR VQ
• 66235 – 66236
• 16″ JVB
• 67241 – 67246
• 67347 – 67350
• VZSS
• 67247 – 67346
• 7 R LeC
• 69151 – 69250
• VZSSC
• 69251 – 69350
• JVEB LeC
• 69351 – 69360

1957

• 2002 LeC
• 59900 – 59999
• 69361 – 69460
• 2499 LeC
• 61796 – 61895
• 2498 LeC
• 62256 – 62355
• 2001 LeC
• 65321 – 65410
• 71871 – 71970
• 65411 – 65810
• 2005 LeC
• 65935 – 66134
• 2003 LeC
• 67351 – 68350
• 69861 – 70260
• 2499
• 68651 – 68750
• VZSS
• 72971 – 73010
• 73017 – 73020
• VZSSQP
• 73011 – 73016

1958

• 2498 LeC
• 62356 – 62405
• 62416 – 62455
• TOURBILLON
• 64803
• 13-JMV
• 64804
• 6/7 LeC
• 64801 – 64802
• 2005 LeC
• 68351 – 68550
• 2499 LeC
• 68751 – 68850
• 2002 LeC
• 69461 – 69560
• 2003 LeC
• 70261 – 71970
• 73671 – 73770
• 2001 LeC
• 71971 – 72370
• 7″ 2420 C
• 72871 – 72970
• VZSSE
• 73571 – 73670

1959

• JVEB LeC
• 66237 – 66240
• 2005 LeC
• 68551 – 68650
• 2001 LeC
• 72371 – 72770
• 2003 LeC
• 73771 – 74670
• 75671 – 76370
• 2070 LeC
• 74671 – 74770
• 2071 LeC
• 75171 – 75270
• VZSSC
• 80071 – 80170

1960

• 2002 LeC
• 69561 – 69760
• 2001 LeC
• 72771 – 72870
• 2071  LeC
• 75271 – 75470
• 2003 LeC
• 76371 – 76670
• 76671 – 78670
• 78971 – 79670
• 2001 LeC
• 76671 – 77270
• 2005 LeC
• 78671 – 78770
• 2426 LeC
• 79971 – 80070

1961

• 2002 LeC
• 69761 – 69860
• 2070 LeC
• 74771 – 74810
• 2071 LeC
• 75471 – 75670
• 2001 LeC
• 77271 – 77670
• 2005 LeC
• 78771 – 78970
• 2003 LeC
• 79671 – 79970
• 81401 – 82300
• 80171 – 81170
• 2001 LeC
• 82401 – 82700
• 2426 LeC
• 85101 – 85200
• 81301 – 81400
• 2072 LeC
• 85701 – 85800
• 2071 LeC
• 85801 – 85900
• 2050 LeC
• 81101 – 81300

1962

• 2003 LeC
• 82301 – 82400
• 83801 – 84800
• 86901 – 88500
• 2001 LeC
• 82701 – 83300
• 2005 LeC 
• 84801 – 85000
• 2002 LeC
• 85201 – 85300
• 2050 LeC
• 86601 – 86900
• 88901 – 89000
• 2426 LeC
• 91401 – 91500

1963

2001

• 83301 – 83400
• 93701 – 94100
• 93501 – 93600
• 2005
• 85001 – 85100
• 2071
• 85901 – 86000
• 2072
• 86311 – 86500
• 2003
• 88501 – 88900
• 90201 – 91100
• 89401 – 89900
• 2050 LeC
• 89001 – 89100
• JVEB
• 73081 – 73083

1964

• 2072 
• 86501 – 86600
• 94801 – 95100
• 2050
• 89101 – 89400
• 2003
• 89901 – 90200
• 91101 – 91400
• 91501 – 91700
• 91801 – 92700
• 2001
• 93601 – 93700
• 94101 – 94400
• 2005 
• 94501 – 94700
• 2050
• 95601 – 95700
• 18/12 LEP
• 73084

1965

• 2071
• 86001 – 86100
• 2003 
• 91701 – 91800
• 96711 – 97510
• 92701 – 93500
• 2001
• 94401 – 94500
• 2005
• 94701 – 94800
• 2001
• 95101 – 95400
• 2050
• 95701 – 96100
• 98711 – 98910
• 2005
• 96401 – 96600
• 2072
• 96101 – 96200
• JSMCCRVQ
• 99211

1966

• 2002
• 85301 – 85400
• 2001
• 95401 – 95600
• 99621 – 99920
• 2005
• 96601 – 96700
• 99221 – 99420
• 2003
• 97511 – 98710
• 100621 – 101320
• 2050
• 98911 – 99210
• 100121 – 100520
• JSMCCRVQ
• 99212
• 17″‘ IW
• 102621 – 102640

1967

• 2072
• 96201 – 96400
• 2005
• 99421 – 99620
• 2001
• 99921 – 100120
• 103641 – 103740
• 2050
• 100521 – 100620
• 104141 – 104740
• 2003
• 101321 – 102620
• 105171 – 105570
• 17″‘
• 102621 – 102600
• 2120
• 102641 – 103540
• 107271 – 107370
• 17″‘
• 105141 – 105170

1968

• 2002
• 85401 – 85500
• 2001
• 103741 – 104040
• 2050
• 104741 – 105140
• 108671 – 109070
• 2003
• 105571 – 107070
• 2423
• 107171 – 107270
• 2120
• 107371 – 108670
• 109671 – 109870
• 2005
• 110201 – 110300

1969

• 2002
• 85501 – 85700
• 2001
• 104041 – 104140
• 111501 – 111800
• 2003
• 107071 – 107170
• 110501 – 111500
• 113001 – 114000
• 2050
• 109071 – 109670
• 115301 – 116000
• 2120
• 109871 – 110170
• 112001 – 112500
• 116501 – 116700
• 2005
• 110301 – 110400
• 116301 – 116400

1970

• 2001
• 130901 – 131100
• 111801 – 112000
• 120502 – 120800
• 124581 – 124680
• 2120
• 112501 – 113000
• 115701 – 117200
• 122881 – 123080
• 125601 – 125700
• 2003
• 114001 – 114900
• 118201 – 118700
• 120001 – 120200
• 120826 – 120875
• 2050
• 116001 – 116300
• 117201 – 118200
• 123281 – 123380
• 123781 – 123880
• 2430
• 112401 – 116500
• 2002
• 120201 – 120400
• 2121
• 120801 – 120812
• 120881 – 121780
• 127001 – 127100
• 13″‘ 77
• 120821 – 120825
• 8/9 JN
• 125081 – 125180
• JSMCCRVQ
• 120876 – 120878

1971

• 2001
• 131101 – 131400
• 124481 – 124580
• 124681 – 125080
• 2003
• 118701 – 120000
• 128901 – 129300
• 2002
• 120401 – 120500
• 2121
• 121781 – 122880
• 126901 – 127000
• 127101 – 127200
• 2120
• 123081 – 123280
• 125301 – 125600
• 125701 – 126100
• 2050
• 123381 – 123780
• 123881 – 124080
• 17″‘ 5017
• 125181 – 125212
• 2430
• 126301 – 126600
• 126601 – 126800
• JSMCCRVQ
• 120879 – 120880

1972

• 8/9 JN
• 110171 – 110172
• 2003
• 129906 – 130900
• 2001
• 131401 – 131500
• 2050
• 131501 – 131600
• 2001
• 132501 – 133100
• 2120
• 1331012 – 133600
• 2002
• 134201 – 134400
• 5017
• 134401 – 134500
• 2003
• 134501 – 134600
• 2001
• 134601 – 135600
• 2120
• 135601 – 136100
• 2001
• 139101 – 139400
• 2050
• 124081 – 124280
• 2120
• 126101 – 126300
• 2121
• 127201 – 128400
• 2003
• 129300 – 130900
• 17″‘ JSMCCRVQ
• 120816 – 120817
• 17″‘ JSMV
• 120824 – 120825

1973

• 2050
• 131601 – 132500
• 2003
• 135101 – 137200
• 2001
• 137201 – 138100
• 2120
• 138101 – 138600
• 2121
• 138601 – 139100
• 2001
• 139401 – 141100
• 2121
• 141101 – 142700
• 2002
• 142701 – 142800
• 2001
• 142801 – 143300
• 2002
• 144101 – 144200
• 2050
• 144201 – 144300
• 2121
• 145301 – 145500
• 2120
• 147901 – 148000
• 2003
• 154101 – 154200
• 2121 
• 128401 – 128900
• 17″‘ JSMCCRVQ
• 120818

1974

• 2001
• 143301 – 144100
• 2050
• 144301 – 145300
• 2121
• 145501 – 147900
• 2120
• 148001 – 149400
• 2001
• 149401 – 151300
• 2510
• 153501 – 153565
• 153581 – 153600
• 5017
• 154001 – 154100
• 2003
• 154201 – 156200
• 2120
• 156201 – 156700
• 2121
• 158001 – 158100
• 159301 – 159600
• 2003
• 160301 – 161000
• 5017
• 164401 – 164500
• 2050
• 164501 – 164900

1975

• 2001
• 151301 – 153300
• 2002
• 153301 – 153500
• 2510
• 153567 – 153578
• 153601 – 153750
• 2120
• 156701 – 157800
• 2121
• 158101 – 159300
• 159601 – 160100
• 2003
• 161001 – 163300
• 2050
• 164901 – 165100
• 2052
• 165101 – 165800
• 2001
• 166601 – 167600
• 2003
• 170801 – 170900
• 2430
• 126801 – 126900
• 5017
• 175401 – 175416
• 175481 – 175500

How to authenticate your Audemars Piguet?

The best way to authenticate your Audemars Piguet timepiece is to have it examined by Audemars Piguet. 

Audemars Piguet clearly states on its website that they are not able to authenticate a watch only by looking at pictures, case numbers, references, etc.

If you have your watch examined by AP, they can issue a certificate of authenticity for your timepiece. To do so, you are advised to drop off your timepiece at an Audemars Piguet boutique, repair center, or any authorized retailer who will transfer your watch to their office in Le Brassus.

Any other way to authenticate an AP timepiece is not 100% surefire unless you yourself have the required expertise and knowledge to tell a fake AP watch. 

One thing that can help you authenticate your watch is by using the warranty card and APs online warranty site. On their website, you can type in your watch’s serial number if it has the electronically activated warranty, and be able to see all the information about your timepiece. If the correct information comes up, it is probably an indication that your watch is authentic. The reason we say probably is that counterfeiters can steal serial/case numbers online and use them for their counterfeit watches. If they find the serial number of an authentic watch, they can manufacture the same model, which thus makes it appear as authentic when searching for it in the AP warranty database.

Note: This article is not meant to be extensive or exhaustive. We try to keep this article as up-to-date as possible. If you find any information that you think is incorrect or outdated, please contact us. Credit to Rolexforums, “Audemars Piguet: Masterpieces of Classical Watchmaking”, Brunner, 1993 & Steltzcowatches for parts of the data.

Do you have any other specific questions regarding Audemars Piguet Serial numbers? Consult us here!

The post Audemars Piguet Serial Numbers Ultimate Guide appeared first on Millenary Watches.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the most iconic and recognized timepieces in the world. It is considered one of the most influential and important watch designs in modern times.

We all know that the Royal Oak was designed by the renowned watch designer Gérald Genta, who is also responsible for having designed the Patek Philipe Nautilus, the Omega Constellation, the IWC Ingenieur, and many others. But at the same time, there is more confusion when it comes to the Royal Oak name. Where does the name Royal Oak come from and what does it mean?

The Royal Oak Almost became the “Safari”

Did you know that the Royal Oak was almost named the “Safari” instead of Royal Oak?

Gérald Genta proposed the name the “Safari” when he designed the Royal Oak. Genta felt that it was a suitable name for the model as it was an unprecedented sports watch that reminded of desert exploration.

In developing the model, Audemars Piguet used the name Safari internally but changed the name just before the watch was about to hit the market as they felt that the name didn’t align perfectly well with the brand image and brand identity. 

To pay tribute to Gérald Genta, Audemars Piguet later created the Royal Oak Offshore Safari reference 26470ST with a white dial and brown crocodile leather strap as a tribute to Genta.

The story of the Royal Oak name?

So where does the name that would ultimately give the name to this iconic model come from? Well, it’s actually quite of an interesting story.

It’s easy to believe that the name has a direct connection with a tree, and in a way, it does. But only indirectly. Audemars Piguet took the name from something that in turn took its name from a tree. Since the Royal Oak is a sports watch that was inspired by a diver’s helmet with its octagonal bezel and exposed screws, it made sense to use a nautical-inspired name. 

As such, Audemars Piguet came up with the name Royal Oak which is inspired by a series of eight vessels of Britain’s Royal Navy. This is yet another interesting connection to the model seeing that the bezel is octagonal. 

The story of the birth of the Royal Oak name goes all the way back to 1651 when the English Civil War took place. In the last battle of Britain, the Royalists ended up in Worcester. This has later come to become known as the Battle of Worcester. Charles Stuart (the future King Charles II of England), the heir to the throne had to run for his life and find a hideout from the Roundheads who were the supporters of the Parliament of England during the English Civil War, also known as Parliamentarians.

The Roundheads were against King Charles I of England, and naturally, all of his heirs who claimed rule by absolute monarchy and according to the divine right of kings. The goal of the Roundhead party was to establish a Parliament with supreme control over executive administration of the country/kingdom. And in that mission, the Royals were in the way.

Charles Stuart tried to get out of the country but failed to cross the River Severn to Wales. Instead, he and his companion ended up at Boscobel House in Shropshire.

The house had many different secret hiding places but it was deemed that these hideouts were too risky and obvious places to seek shelter from the Parliamentarian troops. As such, they had to look for a different hideout. Charles and his partner opted for a large oak tree that stood right in front of the house. Thanks to the shape of the tree with its canopy, it was deemed a perfect hideout place where it was unlikely that the enemies would find him.

This oak proved to be a perfect hideout place as the house was searched but no one thought to search in the tree. After six weeks, Stuart made a successful escape to France.

In 1660, he was restored to the crown and the incredible story of how he successfully escaped from the Roundheads by hiding in the tree became very popular. The day is today remembered by the English as Royal Oak Day. After the event, Charles told the story of how a Parliamentarian soldier passed directly below the tree as he was hiding in it.

In 1664, the navy launched a new ship, equipped with 100 guns and King Charles named it The Royal Oak as a tribute to the tree that saved him and the material from which the ship was built.

The Royal Oak was later burnt down by the Dutch navy but the name continued to be used by all eight ships.

With this intriguing story in mind, it explains how the name was perfect for the new watch. It has royalty and it has a nautical connection.

Why is the Royal Oak called jumbo?

In 1972, Audemars Piguet released the Royal Oak reference 5402. This watch was designed with a 39mm case which was considered very large at the time. The name “Jumbo” refers to the large 39mm case of the Royal Oak and it is a name that Audemars Piguet still uses to this day.

The post Why is it called Royal Oak AP? History of the Royal Oak Name appeared first on Millenary Watches.

The Audemars Piguet is one of the most iconic and well-known timepieces in the world. The Royal Oak has led the way for what watch designs can be and it has been the inspiration for many other watch brands to come.

The Royal Oak is today one of the most iconic, sought-after, and collectible timepieces in the world considering the important role it has played in the watch industry, it deserves to be highlighted and celebrated.

Facts about Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

1. The Royal Oak was designed by Gérald Genta

The Audemars Piguet was designed by one of the most influential, well-known, and iconic watch designers, ever. Gérald Genta is responsible for having designed several of the world’s most iconic watch designs, including the Royal Oak, the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the  Universal Polerouter, the Omega Constellation, and many more.  He is the single most successful watch designer that has unarguably designed more iconic watch designs than any other designer ever.

2. The Royal Oak was almost named The Safari

The watch that we all know and love was almost named The Safari. As a matter of fact, this was the name that Gérald Genta came up with first and how he referred to the prototype as.

However, before the watch was officially released to the market, Audemars Piguet decided not to use the name. The reason was that Audemars Piguet felt that the name didn’t align well with the brand image and identity.

However,  Audemars Piguet later released the Royal Oak Offshore Safari to pay tribute to the initial name suggestion, and to Genta.

3. The first Royal Oak prototypes were made in white gold

Although the purpose and idea of the Royal Oak were to create the world’s first luxury stainless steel watch, the prototype was in fact made in white gold. This is quite ironic, but there’s a good reason for it.

The value proposition of the Royal Oak was not meant to be the material, but rather the level of finishing. But finishing stainless steel to that level is actually quite difficult considering the material’s hardness. 

Audemars Piguet, therefore, made the prototypes in white gold because it is a softer material and easier to work with. It actually became more affordable to use white gold in the development process than stainless steel.

Still, it’s an interesting fact that steel can be more expensive to work with than gold just because of the complexity of crafting it. It’s not something you think about it was the purpose of the Royal Oak all along – to make it the first luxury stainless steel watch.

4. The launch of the Royal Oak was not a big failure as is often reported

If you read about the history and the early days of the Royal Oak, you’ll likely read that the Royal Oak was a failure, or at least not a success in its early days. But the fact of the matter is that this has been greatly exaggerated. Audemars Piguet themselves have stated that this is “a widespread misconception”. The watch certainly wasn’t a huge failure that was met with criticism and that no one wanted. Yes, there were some skepticism about a watch that cost 3650 CHF and was made in stainless steel but after some time, the popularity and sales of this model picked up. Between 1972 and 1978, the company produced a total of 6,050 reference 5402 models as well as 4,288 in steel, 876 in gold and steel, 736 in yellow gold, and 150 in white gold.”

Now, those numbers may not be impressive today but bear in mind that Audemars Piguet’s total watch production was considerably smaller than it is today.

So to say that the Royal Oak was a complete flop is not quite correct.

5. The Royal Oak is named after a British battleship

The HMS Royal Oak from Britain’s Royal Navy is one of the most famous and iconic battleships ever created. It is also from this ship that the watch got its name. The name of the watch, therefore, has nothing to do with a tree, which some people assume. However, if we look at from where the Royal Nave ship took its name, then it does indeed has a connection to a tree. The ship was named after an Oak tree that, according to the legend, protected King Charles II from the Roundheads following the Battle of Worcester which took place in 1651.

The first name suggested, as mentioned, was “The Safari”, but this was not a name that AP chose to proceed with upon its launch. Instead, they needed something that aligned better with the brand image, but also that had a nautical connection. The Royal Oak name, therefore, made perfect sense.

6. The Royal Oak was designed in less than 24 hours

It’s truly remarkable that the initial design for one of the most iconic timepieces ever created was made in less than 24 hours.

Gérald Genta himself has described this event and how the design came about. It was in 1970, the night before the Baselworld watch fair, that  Georges Golay, Audemars Piguet’s managing director, asked Gérald Genta to design a new watch. 

According to Genta, Golay told him at 4 PM: “Mr. Genta, we have a distribution company that has asked us for a steel sports watch that has never been done before – and I need the design sketch for tomorrow morning.” Genta later said about the event: “It was a crazy thing, personally I don’t know by what magic it was possible to create such a thing in one night, it was quite amazing!”

9. The Design Of The Royal Oak actually came about because of a misunderstanding

We have discussed the fact that Gérald Genta came up with the design of the Royal Oak in less than 24 hours. But the design he came up with was actually the result of a misunderstanding.

According to Genta, he misheard Golay when he received the instructions for the design of the watch. Genta commented on the event and described what happened:

One afternoon, at four o’clock, Mr. Georges Golay, the Managing Director of Audemars Piguet, rings me up and tells me: “Mr. Genta, I need a steel sports watch that has never been done before, I want it to be something totally new and waterproof.” On my part, I understood that what he was looking for was a brand-new waterproofing technology. “I want the design by tomorrow morning.” I designed it overnight and my idea was to replicate the system of the scaphander’s helmet on the watch case. With the eight screws and with the joint visible on the case’s exterior. So I was given the ‘green light’ straight away to begin work on the prototype.

With that said, Genta understood it as if he needed to design a steel luxury sports watch with a waterproofing technology that had never been done before. And in doing so, he looked for inspiration from diving helmets. The result was that the Royal Oak was designed with visible gaskets, a detail that is now an iconic part of the Royal Oak.

10. The first prototype was completed in less than a year

Whilst it took less than 24 hours to design the watch, creating the first prototype took almost a year. Gérald Genta said the following:

“I completed the prototype myself within a year. In 1970, I designed the watch. And it took one more year before industrial production, which finally came about in 1972.”

11. The idea for a new model that came to become the Royal Oak was not an idea from Audemars Piguet

As stated above, the Royal Oak was the result of a request from a distributor who wanted a steel sports watch that has never been done before. But there’s more to this story with a little digging.

The request actually came from Société Suisse pour l’industrie Horlogère which was a group founded by Omega and Tissot in 1930. Mr. Golay established a deal with the SSIH regarding the distribution of watches for growing production from AP. Golay needed to expand the distribution network for AP and SSIH had 15,000 retailed around the world. But in exchange for access to their distribution network, Golay was asked by top agents to create a watch, the day before Baselworld.

12. The first customer of the Royal Oak was Allegedly the Shah of Iran

Allegedly, the first-ever customer of the Royal Oak was the Shah of Iran was the first-ever Royal Oak customer. The Shah wanted his Roak Oak to be made of white gold and AP commissioned this unique watch for him.

13. The Royal Oak saved the company

The Royal Oak was created in the midst of the quartz crisis when the Swiss watch industry received a heavy blow from the Japanese watch brands who had started making quartz timepieces.

Like most other Swiss watch brands, Audemars Piguet was also affected by the great competition from the quartz watches.

It’s safe to say that the Royal Oak was something truly unique and revolutionary. And this watch couldn’t have come at a better time. It was exactly what AP needed to combat the threats from the quartz watches. The most important thing about the Royal Oak was that it made a statement. It was made in stainless steel but put an emphasis on fine watchmaking and craftsmanship. It was essentially exactly the opposite of the cheap Japanese quartz watches. Yes, the quartz watches were more accurate, but AP proved that the Royal Oak was so much more than that. It was a piece of art.

The sales of the Royal Oak were slow as a start but eventually picked up. Today, it is the single most important model for AP and also one of the most iconic models in the world.

14. The story that the design was inspired by a diver’s helmet is not quite true

We have all heard the story about the fact that the Royal Oak is inspired by a traditional diver’s helmet. However, this has proven not to be quite true.

Yes, it is possible that Genta took some inspiration from traditional diver’s helmets, but the fact of the matter is that diver’s helmets with 8 bolts don’t really exist. Moreover, Audemars Piguet themselves have done their own research and have not been able to find a diver’s helmet with an octagonal faceplate.

AP stated that the “octagonal shape definitely stems from another source.”.

With this said, it’s evident that Gérald Genta didn’t take inspiration from a specific diver’s helmet, at least not when he came up with the iconic octagonal shape. However, that is not to say that he didn’t think about divers’ suits and diver’s helmets for inspiration when he designed the Royal Oak. In other words, the result was what he envisioned in his head when he thought about these items.

The octagonal shape may have come from somewhere else but the screws were definitely inspired by divers’ helmets.

The post Top 14 Facts About Audemars Piguet Royal Oak – Interesting Things to Know appeared first on Millenary Watches.