Audemars Piguet

Hi guys,

I am really smitten by the looks of the original Royal Oak designed by Gerald Genta. The shiny small textured hobnail dial looks just like a shiny piece of gemstone, very different from the new Royal Oaks we see today.

Just took some photos to share mine and my wife's (apparently she doesn't know how rare her is)

Anyone has any knowledge of my wife's model? It is a B Serial and is equipped with a very small automatic movement. Any comment, or information greatly appreciated. It appears that this is much rarer than my 5402. I haven't seen this around, especially a ladies RO with an automatic movement.

Please excuse me for the quick shots:

   
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Oh, why is my 5402 without a bracelet? I was ultrasonic cleaning it and took it off when I was shooting shots of it.

Want more pictures of the 5402st? Here you go:

Hmmm, is it really a slate grey dial? Looks blue, grey, navy blue, silver, argh... I give up... I am seeing stars now.

   
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This is the before pictures of the 5402 before it is going on a long spa vacation to Switzerland. Bon voyage and I will show more pictures when he is back from his (V pricey) spa!

Hope you enjoy the shots.

fist - I am no expert in lady´s Royal oak, so that I cant give an expertise about your lady´s RO watch and movement, but what I can show to you is this:

 

thanks for showing your 5402 with realy early A number. Why do you send the watch for service. Does the watch need a mechanical service.

I think the watch looks good and authentic with only some signs of use - but the dial looks realy good and only there is one very little hole in the lume of one hand. Ok - Caseback engraving "Royal Oak" is not so much left.

If you send the watch to AP of course they know what to do (by the way : you have to send the bracelet with the watch, so that they make the finish on case and bracelet - i think you know that), but find a possibility to make clear what should happen with the dial and hands.

I would never let them change the good looking original "swiss" dial. If they change the dial, the watch will come back with "swiss made" dial (from this day on you loose money by this aspect) and also the small hands don´t existe anymore and the crown only with AP-Logo. For me personally from these three things the dial is the most important point - hands (a little bid wider, if they put new ones on it) and crown with AP-Logo for me not so important.

Ask what they can do with the caseback.

If you decide to change dial, crown (it´s a usual service because of water resistance) and hands, make shure, that they will send you  the "old parts" ! ! !

regards

Stephan

 

I absolutely agreed that the Jumbo is nice

My modern Jumbo...

cheers

 

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That is very interesting.

Yes, I totally understand where you are coming from since I do have a humble experience and particular keen interest in collecting vintage watches.

It does needs a servicing as I would like the bezel to be replaced. And a mechanical servicing would be useful as well since it was not serviced in the past few decades.

I really like this one as it have a very beautiful excellent condition SWISS only dial and I especially like the thin slender hands. Nothing beats the true original AP RO jumbo in my opinion; having own a few different variant of the Jumbo in the past. I know I just need to own the true original after i seen one in the flesh. And as luck has it, I finally found one. And with a rather interesting low number.

I will probably post some additional photos when "he" is back from her spa.

Meantime, she will probably gonna miss him. ;-)

Still searching for info for the ladies "jumbo"...

 

Thank you again for all the advice and information.

..to own a low A would for many of us be a dream come true..

Best
Hans

Thanks for sharing this one!

Stephen

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Did you get them together?  And does your wife like the RO?  Hope it gets back to you quickly from the AP spa.

Regards,
ED-209