Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 14790ST, first series

Maker: Audemars Piguet

Model: Royal Oak 

Reference: 14790

Year: 1992, first series

Dial: Original white, “Petite Tapisserie” dial with thin hands

Case Material: Steel

Case Dimensions: 36mm

Caliber: Automatic caliber 2225

Service history:  Serviced at Audemars Piguet August 2020

Bracelet: Audemars Piguet Integrated Stainless Steel Bracelet

Box/Papers: Audemars Piguet service papers when it was last serviced in August 2020

The Royal Oak, with its octagonal case, exposed screws, and integrated bracelet is one of the most iconic sports watches ever produced. First released in the 1970s, the original Ref. 5402 was designed by Gerald Genta. When Audemars Piguet released the first Royal Oak in stainless steel it was priced equivalent to that of a solid gold watch. This was considered "crazy", to put it mildly, by the public and during its first years in existence the watch struggled to sell. It was only after some time that the public saw this as something genuinely original and beautiful. 

The Ref. 14790 we have on offer is the mid sized Royal Oak that was released in 1992. It had a long production run- only being discontinued in 2006. The ref 14790 can roughly be divided into three series according to the variations of different models that were produced during the course of more than a decade. Of the three series, the first is the rarest, believed to have been in production for a brief one-year period.

Overall, this 14790ST first series is in excellent condition. Featuring a beautifully balanced 36mm case, the ref. 14790ST sits fantastically on the wrist and is certainly not too small.There are hairlines throughout the case consistent for a watch of this age but the case remains thick and sharp. The dial is the exceedingly rare first series dial as can be distinguished by the older “Audemars Piguet” font on the dial. The minute and hour hands are also correct for a first series, with both being the exact same thickness, corresponding to the thickness of the applied lume-filled indexes. Overall, the dial is flawless with no blemishes. At some point in its life- most likely during one of its regular service at Audemars Piguet- the crown and the bracelet clasp seem to have been replaced with a second series crown and clasp. The movement was last serviced by Audemars Piguet in August 2020 and is in full working order. The watch will come with a 3 month movement warrantee from us.

Ships from Japan.