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 features a traditional two-tone case construction made up of stainless steel and yellow gold. Housed in a 35mm case, all the hallmark RO features are present — an octagonal bezel with exposed screws, a signed, octagonal crown and a fantastic integrated bracelet culminating in a signed, hidden deployant clasp.  Thanks to the magic of time, this RO’s slate grey grand tapisserie dial has developed the slightest shade of brown undertones and its applied, yellow gold indices have partially patinated into a metallic-blue tone providing a rainbow-like effect when viewed at certain angles. Featuring an ultra-thin quartz movement, coupled with a slender case profile and an agreeable integrated bracelet, this piece is as easy-wearing as it gets! Even if it is two-tone!