AUDEMARS PIGUET
Royal Oak série C « Tropical » ref. 5402st
Thanks to the iconoclast Gerald Genta who had this genius stroke of pen in early 70s Audemars Piguet got its icon and most innovative watch design ever made which became and still is its best-seller. It was already 50 years ago in 2022!
The most expensive steel diving watch at the time (more than 3x a Submariner!) and certainly very far from the period’s fashionable criterias. After a painful start the Royal Oak finally found its client base and a total of 6050 watches were produced over 4 series (A, B, C & D) until 1984. The presented timepiece is part of the C series (952 made) and it serial N• C19xx positions the watch at the very end of the C series probably produced in 1979 and sold in 1982 according to AP chronicles archives.
Dial & case: unbelievable warm tropical brown dial with small tapisserie 32 lines dial. SWISS MADE at 6 o´clock typical sign of service dial. Tritium index and hands. Sharp case with minimal polishing history and very thick bezel. Size = 39mm.
Bracelet: showing excellent condition and is still standing up, with engraved « BREVETE AP » on the clasp and and showing « AUDEMARS PIGUET » on the rebate which was later changed to « AP ».
Movement: AP 2121 caliber
Box & papers: none
