Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Gerald Genta was the first — and arguably, the most important — "celebrity" watch designer. Having conceived many important silhouettes, his most memorable work — the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak — was sketched in one day and changed the shape of the watch industry. The Royal Oak essentially created an entirely new category of 'luxury sport' timepieces, and with it came a new design language that inspired countless other maisons. What's particularly delightful about the design of the Royal Oak is that it works brilliantly in a number of sizes and case materials, from steel to carbon fiber to solid gold. This example, a Reference 15500ST, is a time-and-date model featuring a 41mm stainless steel case with its signature octagonal bezel with a brushed hood; exposed screws; finely polished facets; a signed crown; and a fantastic, integrated stainless steel multi-link bracelet with a signed push-button deployant clasp. Shaded in a metallic grey, this piece displays the time via applied, luminous indices and matching a handset set against a textured grey Grand Tapisserie pattern that has become synonymous with the maison. Within you’ll find an in-house, self-winding Calibre 4302 decorated with Côtes de Genève and an upgraded 70-hour power reserve — which is thankfully visible through an exhibition caseback. In excellent condition, this piece is accompanied by its factory accoutrements including its complete inner and outer box set, instruction manual, and an international warranty card. Exceptionally finished and well-sized, it deserves a chance to become a collector's daily driver. It doesn't get much better than a Genta-designed, stainless steel sports watch from one of the 'Holy Trinity.' Once you try this on, we're sure you'll agree.