The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak - An Instantly Recognisable Timepiece

The company Audemars Piguet was registered inno means considered an exotic metal and the model
1882. Founded by Jules Audemars and Edward Piguet,was "plain" considering some of the horological
these two young men built a reputation as innovatorscomplex complications of the time. However this
of watchmaking when they unveiled the world's firstskepticism was short lived when sales exceeded the
minute repeater movement in a wristwatch in 1892.forecast of the manufacture.
Today the brand Audemars Piguet is still in the handsThe historical term "Royal Oak" comes from the
of its founding families and the brand has manyhollowed tree in which King Charles II of England took
impressive and collectible models in its portfolio.refuge from his pursuers following the Battle of
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak model is an instantlyWorcester in 1651, but the name also became
recognisable wristwatch, an impressive bold piece ofsynonymous with the Royal Navy when a series of
jewellery which combines uncompromising quality ofbattle ships were named HMS Royal Oak. One of
construction with innovative design. This timepiece hasthese ships, the first armoured British warship had a
become an icon and although almost 40 years sinceunique construction - it had octagonal portholes with
the first model was created it continues to be thethe exterior frames being secured with bolts visible
focus for the Audemars Piguet brand.from the outside. And so taking not only the name but
Launched in Basel in 1972, the Audemars Piguet Royalalso inspiration from its very construction, the
Oak captured the attention and imagination of theAudemars Piguet Royal Oak had a unique design, the
watchmaking world. The first prestige sports watch tonow instantly recognisable octagonal bezel with eight
be crafted in stainless steel, the impressive design wasvisible screws going right through it. To complete the
the work of the watch designer Gerald Genta whoimpression of a bold, sporty piece the bracelet was
went on to found his own luxury watch brand in theintegrated, yet this contrasted with the classic almost
1990's. Featuring a self-winding mechanical movementdelicate detailing of the exquisite guilloche dial. These
with calendar function, many critics at the time viewedfeatures made for a distinctive but difficult to construct
this watch as a lowly creation, stainless steel was byfinished form.