A watch can say a lot about a person. If you're into high-tech sports watches, you're probably a fitness enthusiast who values keeping tabs on health data and workout stats. Smartwatch users are likely busy-bees who often juggle work notifications with personal life updates. As for those rocking Swiss luxury brands? Well, they've got sophisticated taste and a bit of cash to splash.
If the last option sounds more like you and you’re thinking of adding another timepiece to your collection, we know just the brand for you to consider: Audemars Piguet. The brand is renowned for its collection of luxury sports watches but their most coveted yet has got to be the Royal Oak—the granddaddy of all steel sports watches. And trust us when we say that nothing quite says “I’ve made it” like having one of these wrapped around your wrist.
Case in point: Ahead, we've listed local celebrities who treated themselves to a Royal Oak watch. But before that, let's delve into the history of this luxury timepiece.
What is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak?
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is now considered a classic—an icon worn by icons such as Steph Curry, Serena Williams, Ed Sheeran, and many more—but when it first debuted, the market wasn’t as enthusiastic about the watch as they are now.
Debuted in 1972, the Royal Oak was considered a game-changer. It introduced an entirely new category of horology known today as the ‘luxury sports watch category’. Boasting a 39mm case, which was huge for its time, it was given the nickname “Jumbo” and also had a hefty price tag to match. At CHF 3,650 it was the most expensive steel watch in the market at the time–even pricier than gold dress watches. It was a gutsy move back then, given that a "luxury steel" watch was unheard of, challenging the notion that luxury timepieces had to be made of gold.
Designed by the Godfather of watchmaking, Gerald Genta, a legendary Swiss watchmaker who has also created watches for Omega, Patek Philippe, and collaborated with brands like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet, Hamilton, Bulgari, Seiko, and Timex. In a 2009 interview, Genta recalled how Georges Golay, the Managing Director of Audemars Piguet, called him up telling him that he needed a steel sports watch that “has never been done before.” His requirements were that it be something entirely new and waterproof, and he needed it the morning after.
Genta being the genius that he is quickly delivered. Taking inspiration from antique diving helmets, he came up with the Royal Oak’s design in just one night. Characterized by its eight-sided bezel with exposed screws, hobnail dial, and integrated bracelet, the Royal Oak was truly one of a kind and ahead of its time. So much so that when it was released, people just didn’t know what to make of it—yet. It didn’t take too long, however, for other Swiss luxury brands such as Vachron Constantin, Girard-Perregaux, and Patek Philippe to introduce their own versions of the luxury steel sports watch, but the Royal Oak will forever be known as the ideal luxury sports watch.
Local Celebrities Who Own an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watch
Kylie Verzosa
Yassi Pressman
Ivana Alawi
How Much Does the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Cost?
Audemars Piguet has been producing the Royal Oak since the early 1970s, resulting in a diverse market with vintage, retro, discontinued, and modern models. As the brand's flagship watch, it has led to a wide range of variations, complications, sizes, and styles, including the Royal Oak Offshore collection.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak prices vary greatly, and as of writing, the lowest-priced one—a 33mm quartz model—is listed for $17,800 (roughly P1,018,818). Kylie Verzosa's exact watch, which is a 37mm self-winding watch with an 18-carat pink gold case and bracelet contrasted with a silver-toned “Grande Tapisserie” dial and a diamond-set bezel, is almost quadruple the cost of that at $65,800. Yassi Pressman's limited edition 50th Anniversary watch, on the other hand, costs approximately P4.7 million.
Royal Oak Quartz Ref. 67650ST, $17,800 (approx. P1,017,581), AUDEMARS PIGUET, audemarspiguet.com
Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 15551OR, $65,800 (approx. P3,761,522), AUDEMARS PIGUET, audemarspiguet.com
Royal Oak Selfwinding "50th Anniversary" Ref. 77350CE, approximately P4,700,000, AUDEMARS PIGUET, audemarspiguet.com
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