Superstar: Royal Oak 'Jumbo', Part 1
Our research on collectors continues: this time, our experts will explore the history of Audemars Piguet's bestsellers.Audemars Piguet ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE 26400SO.OO.A335CA.01
In 2022, the Swiss brand Audemars Piguet launches a new anniversary model Ref. 16202 and automatic Calibre 7121 movement. They replaced their respective predecessors, Ref. Caliber 15202 and 2121.
Carl. The 2121 is the movement that once housed the early Royal Oak "Jumbo" models and is now a collector's item. This is a pivotal moment - a major turning point in the history of this watch, as we finally say goodbye to the original kit in the Royal Oak "Jumbo".
It's totally understandable that these moments have an undertone of sadness. We love Ref more and more. The 5402ST has not been nicknamed "Jumbo" in the fifty years since the first Royal Oak was introduced.
We loved it till the end. The sentiment between collectors, professionals in the collectible watch market, auctioneers and dealers is quite the opposite. It was more of a positive moment for them. The end of the road for this watch has transformed it into a collector's classic.
The story of the Royal Oak line and its flagship model known as the "Jumbo" is well documented in the media, with many versions in the public domain. With a detailed analysis of the entire Royal Oak "Jumbo" collection, there is little to explain why the replica luxury watches in this collection are gaining popularity. There are so many, almost each with their own specific backstory.
In 2022, Audemars Piguet introduces the new anniversary Ref. 16202 and the automatic Calibre 7121 movement. They replaced their respective predecessors, Ref. Caliber 15202 and 2121.
Also, this analysis has no real value - it's been done before. It's time to focus on the status of the Royal Oak "Jumbo" on the used market and analyze how all versions have changed over the past five decades. This study provides information gathered from reputable sources about all key evolutionary stages of the Royal Oak 'treasure'.
refer to. 5402ST
refer to. The 5402ST is the original steel Royal Oak "Jumbo" model introduced in 1972 and produced in four series A, B, C and D until around 1990. In addition to this, there is what is known as "No-Series after the first A-Series" or "Non-Series".
Following the D series, the ultra-thin "No Letter" series was launched, with a total of 21 sold. A total of 6050 pieces of Ref. 5402ST were issued, retailed between 1972 and 2002.Richard Mille RM 60-01 Les Voiles de St Barth
Watches in the A, B, C and D collections have a special marking on the caseback including the Royal Oak logo and the series number. Some examples are No A 999 or No B 1999.
"No-Series" or "Non-Series" watches do not have numbers, and "No Letter" models do not have letter marks to denote the series. Royal Oak watches are then identified by series, such as Royal Oak "A Series", etc., or Royal Oak "No Series" or Royal Oak "No Letters".
A, B, C and D series watches have special markings on the casebacks.
You need to keep in mind that Royal Oak "Jumbo" watches are marked using three elements, excluding "No-Series" or "Non-Series" watches that have two markings instead of three.
The movement number of the watch is engraved on the movement, the case number is engraved on the inside of the case of the year, and the individual piece number in its series.
Audemars Piguet began marking watch cases in 1951. Series A watches had five-character case numbers, but AP started in 1975 and reached six digits around the time the Series B ended and the Series C was introduced.
Next-generation numbers start with the first letter "B" and a number. To avoid confusion: you can tell where a piece is in the series by the number on the caseback, which is indicated as No A 999, in "No", the letters "A", "B", "C" or " D" and "999" without the symbol "No" preceding the case number.Jacob & Co Astronomia Casino replica
Until recently, the system of marking watches in the Royal Oak collection has been used to this day, with the number each piece occupies in its collection and the case number engraved on the outside of the case back. The A-Series Royal Oak watches sold out quickly. The brand sold nearly 1,000 units within a year of its launch.
This prompted the decision to expand the collection to 2,000 pieces, which was taken by George Golay, then managing director and the main driving force behind the Royal Oak project. For various reasons, some numbers were not used, which is why in total only 1,937 Royal Oak A-Series pieces were sold between 1972 and 1989.
After the A series, the brand management seems to have paused to decide whether to continue making the Ref. 5402ST watch, and if so, how should the brand position itself to customers who are told that the watch is a limited edition.
This is reflected in the brand’s French ad text: “Chaque exemplaire des séries limitées de Royal Oak est numéroté” (each watch in the Royal Oak Limited Collection is numbered). This resulted in a secret collection of 129 "non-series" or "non-series" high quality replica watches.
Searching the archives of the brand, it seems that they were made during this period - after the end of the A series, but after deciding whether to continue with the Ref. 5402ST. A decision was finally made, and it was a rather unusual one.
The brand will continue to produce reference numbers, but will now use "B", "C" and "D". The numbers for these collections don't start with "B 1" like the system used for A-series watches: they start with "B 1000" and no more than a thousand pieces are produced in any given collection.
This is reflected in the brand's French ad text: "Chaque exemplaire des séries limitées de Royal Oak est numéroté".
This seems to be done to maintain the exclusive image of the first thousand pieces of the A series. As a result, 845 Series B watches were sold between 1975 and 1993. The first C-Series Royal Oak came out of the workshop in December 1976, followed by only 952 other watches marked C 1000 to C 2000 until 1987.
The D series followed, with 404 units sold from 1977 to 1989. The last 21 reference 5402ST were sold from 1988 to 1990, marked with a number without a letter to denote the series (called "Unlettered"), continuing the two-tone model (steel and gold) noted in the chronology )Numbering.
The initial version of the reference. The 5402ST has received the most minor tweaks over the years. There is a common misconception that A-series watches can be identified by the initials "AP" at 6 o'clock, while watches from other collections position them at 12 o'clock.fake watches for sale
According to the information provided in the chronology, Audemars Piguet ordered the dial with the word "AP" at 12 o'clock in 1977, when the brand had 1,200 dials with the word "AP" at 6 o'clock to choose from . From this we can deduce that, when the C series (the second half of the series) and the D series were produced, some pieces could be equipped with a first dial, while others were equipped with a second dial.
Another factor that adds to uncertainty is follow-up services. Stories are often heard about watches being sent to service centers with new dials, often second dials. It should also be noted that repairs may involve restoring the dial, as patina often appears on Ref. dials. 5402ST piece, change dial color.
In a full restoration, the dial must be recolored in an electroplating bath, the markers and hands used will be replaced, and there must be a newly stamped logo, minute scale and inscription. The brand started signing its dials "Swiss Made" instead of "Swiss" after 1985, and almost all Ref. 5402ST pieces were up to that point.
Apchronicles notes that the last 133 Ref. 5402STs sold between 1985 and 2002 could be signed "Swiss Made". That's why a watch with a dial "refurbished" after 1985 can be signed "Swiss Made", the most obvious sign that a replica swiss watches dial is not in its original condition, although you can't call it a necessary or decisive sign. Further signs will be fresh luminous, no distinct patina, new thicker "fat" hands, and the absence of short markers on the minute scale.
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