Inside the Legacy of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, From Its Groundbreaking Debut to Its Status as a Timeless Symbol of Craftsmanship
May 5, 2025- Luxury Watches, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
In 1972, Audemars Piguet did what no one else dared.
At the height of the quartz crisis, the brand unveiled a stainless-steel watch priced like gold: the Royal Oak. Designed by Gérald Genta in a single night, its angular octagonal bezel, exposed screws, and integrated bracelet shattered the codes of traditional horology.
Steel became elite. Luxury got radical.
This was the first time high horology met industrial design in a way that felt modern. The Royal Oak challenged the idea that craftsmanship meant formality or excess. Its sharp geometry and visible mechanics reflected a new cultural moment — one where design, sport, and status collided.
Over 500 references later, the Royal Oak is still rewriting the rules.
What began as a controversial outlier is now a cornerstone of modern watchmaking. The Royal Oak line has expanded into chronographs, perpetual calendars, skeletonized models, and high-jewelry executions.
Royal Oak II: Redesigning Gender in Watchmaking
In 1976, Audemars Piguet launched the first women’s Royal Oak — at a time when the industry still treated gender with rigid codes. The feminine version preserved the original architecture but redefined who could wear such a design. It wasn’t “softened.” It was scaled and recalibrated — without compromise. It ushered in a new era of inclusivity in watchmaking during the early years of the quartz crisis.
A 150-Year Legacy Meets the Future
Founded in 1875, Audemars Piguet remains the oldest independent and family-run Haute Horlogerie manufacture in operation. In celebration of its 150th anniversary, the Swiss house unveils the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked Anniversary Edition, a stunning fusion of tradition and cutting-edge innovation.
This anniversary edition of the Royal Oak reinterprets the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, showcasing both technical expertise and avant-garde design that have made Audemars Piguet renowned worldwide.
Openworked Movement: Exposing the intricate beauty of the perpetual calendar movement, with a fascinating three-dimensional architecture.
Iconic Design: The signature octagonal case remains unchanged, highlighting the Royal Oak’s DNA. A balance of polished and satin-finished surfaces exemplifies the brand’s craftsmanship.
Experience the Heritage
Nestled in Le Brassus, within the Vallée de Joux, Audemars Piguet continues to craft legendary timepieces, combining audacity and technical mastery. The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked “150th Anniversary” “150th Anniversary” honors Audemars Piguet’s past and pushes watchmaking’s boundaries, proving once again why the Royal Oak remains an icon of innovation.
To mark this milestone, the Maison invites visitors into “The House of Wonders,” a new temporary exhibition at the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet. Where 150 years of heritage, craftsmanship, and creativity come alive. Through the eyes of generations of artisans and visionaries, the exhibition explores how Audemars Piguet has continually pushed the boundaries of horology. Alongside the exhibition, you can participate in masterclasses and discover an installation highlighting the work of the Audemars Piguet Foundation.
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