Here we have what is probably the ultimate icon, the Royal Oak. It was the first model to truly bring stainless steel into the spotlight. At the time, working with stainless steel was extremely demanding due to its hardness. Crafting a case, and especially such a highly faceted bracelet from it, required the highest level of expertise from the Swiss manufacture.
Case
During its last service, the watch received a very extensive polish. The bracelet shows hardly any stretch, and the bezel still proudly displays its eight sharp edges. A simple trick to quickly assess the condition of a Royal Oak is the way it rests when laid down. If it remains in position and does not collapse under its own weight, the bracelet is usually in outstanding condition.
Dial
This watch does not feature a replacement or service dial, but rather its original dial. We still have the non-serif text here, and the Tapisserie pattern remains beautifully preserved. Only at the 11 o’clock position is there a tiny mark where the dial has developed the characteristic brown patina often seen on older AP dials.
Movement
For the original design of this movement, the master watchmakers at Jaeger-LeCoultre truly did their best work. Of course, only the architecture of the movement was utilized, as Audemars Piguet further refined and improved it according to their own standards. The greatest challenge was undoubtedly how thin it was built. The case measures only 7 mm in thickness, and to achieve this, the movement itself had to be exceptionally thin.
