Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dimple Dial Vintage

Key Points from the Discussion

• The 'dimple' dial, often perceived as a modern design element in current Audemars Piguet models like the Code series, actually has a historic precedent, as evidenced by the author's 1991 example. This demonstrates a continuity in AP's design language.
• The author's focus on collecting the Quantième Perpétuel series reveals even 'purer' dimple dial executions, sometimes without the inner semicircle for subdials, showcasing the breadth of design variations within this specific complication.
• The Mother-of-Pearl (MOP) 'dimpling' is particularly challenging to execute due to the material's delicate nature, making such vintage dials highly prized. The vintage fonts also add a special character often distinct from modern interpretations.
• The author observes that the dial furniture (hands and indices) on his vintage piece is balanced and does not overshadow the MOP dial, a contrast to some newer releases where larger hands and indices can dominate the aesthetic.
• The contrast between the gold case and the MOP dial on the featured timepiece is particularly striking, appealing even to collectors who typically prefer white metal watches.