How Much Does an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Cost?
The Royal Oak is, without any doubt, the best-known model from Audemars Piguet. It also holds the record of being the first true sports luxury watch launched in the world, back in 1972, a timepiece that would change the landscape of modern horology forever.
Prices for the Royal Oak are all across the board, in this article we research the prices of Royal Oak models and what’s a fair price for one today.
The modern Royal Oak was designed by the genius watchmaker Gerald Genta, and launched at the annual Swiss Watch Show (later renamed BaselWorld) in 1972.
The original Royal Oak — which was named ref. 5402, nicknamed “Jumbo” for its size — was a slim watch, with a thickness of 8 mm, but a large diameter, 39 mm: at that time it was definitely oversized. The timepiece had just two hands and the date display. It also featured a sophisticated, integrated, stainless steel bracelet.
The company chose to equip the ref.5402 with the automatic Caliber 2121, based on the 2120 model with a date complication added. This caliber is still mounted today inside the ref.15202.
Audemars Piguet produced the first series of 1,000 pieces only.
This is known as the A-series, and as you can suspect, it is the most sought-after version by collectors worldwide.
The A-series is easy to recognize, as the date is in black color over a white background, and the dial displays the AP initials over the indices at six, while in the following editions they were placed at twelve.
Over the following years, Audemars Piguet developed the 5402 into many other variations and re-designs, one of which became a full sub-line, known as Royal Oak Offshore.
THE ROYAL OAK BASIC LINE
The original 5402 (39 mm and steel back) was produced from 1972 to 1990, then substituted by the Ref. 15002, produced until 1998.
From 1992 to 2000, the company produced the Jubilee edition, called Ref. 14802, featuring a three-element case and a display back.
A ref. 5402 might start from around $25,000. An “A” reference will set you back from $50,000 upwards.
The Royal Oak ref. 15300, launched in 2005 and produced up to 2012, had the same dimensions of the original Jumbo, but had three hands, and was thicker, at 9.5 mm. It mounted the Caliber 3120.
A ref. 15300 starts from around $19,000, and is available in steel or gold, with the gold version mounting a wristband. The iced out versions, with diamonds, start from about $30,000.
The current reference, in production from 2012, the 40th anniversary of the model, is the Ref. 15202, featuring a display case back.
There is also another version available in this size: the Dual Time ref. 26120, mounting a Caliber 2392/2846.
A ref. 15202 starts from around $28,000 in steel, and from $40,000 in gold.
A ref. 26120 starts from around $22,000, both in steel with an integrated bracelet or in gold with a wristband.
In the Seventies, the company launched a unisex version, a smaller edition of the Royal Oak so-called “Midsize,” with a 36 mm diameter, mounting a central seconds hand.
The first version was the Ref. 4100, mounting the Caliber 2123.
A ref. 4100 starts from around $11,000.
The Ref. 14486, made during the 1980s, mounted the Caliber 2125.
A ref. 14486 starts from around $21,000.
The Ref. 14700, made in the early 1990s, mounted the Caliber 2225. It was also available with a wristband, instead of the bracelet, and was called Ref. 14800.
A ref. 14700 starts from around $12,000 for the steel model, and $22,000 for the gold model.
A ref. 14800 starts from around $8,000, making it one of the most affordable Royal Oaks around.
The Ref. 15450, in production from 2012, has a 37 mm diameter and mounts the Caliber 3120.
There is also an open-worked version in this size, the Ref. 15407, mounting the Caliber 3132.
A ref. 15450 starts from around $17,000 in steel, $21,000 for the bimetallic version, and about $23,000 for the gold version with a wristband.
As the market demanded big sizes, the company also launched two larger versions, at 41 mm diameter, made from 2012 to 2019. They were the Ref. 15400, mounting the Caliber 3120, and by the current model, the Ref. 15500, with the Caliber 4302.
A ref. 15400 starts from around $21,000 for the steel version, and $25,000 for the gold version with a wristband.
A ref. 15500 starts from around $23,000 for the steel version, and $32,000 for the gold version with a wristband. The gold version with a bracelet can be found from about $55,000.
THE ROYAL OAK CALENDAR LINE
The Perpetual Calendar was made to be the slimmest watch of its kind. It was so thin that it was even thinner than the original Jumbo.
The calendar models of the Royal Oak offer two kinds of watches: perpetual calendars and annual calendars.
The perpetual calendars, precise up to 2100, debuted in 1984, with two references, the Ref. 25554 and the Ref. 24820, based on two variations of the same 2120 Caliber.
Another reference, the Ref. 25686, was launched in the 1990s.
The current lineup features the Ref. 26570 — various models, at 41 mm, mounting a Caliber 5134 movement.
The simpler annual calendar ref. 25920 instead came in production in the 1990s.
The older references of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar start from around $35,000 for the steel version and $50,000 for the gold version with a bracelet.
A ref. 25920 starts from around $15,000 for the steel version.
THE ROYAL OAK LADIES LINE
There is a collection of smaller timepieces, in 33 mm size, with the distinctive Royal Oak design, mounting both quartz-based and automatic movements.
They are respectively the Ref. 67600 (various models), mounting the quartz Caliber 2712/2713, and the Ref. 77220/331, with the mechanical Caliber 2240.
A ref. 67600 starts from around $4,000 for the steel version, and $9,000 for the iced version, with diamonds on the bezel.
A ref. 77220 starts from around $6,000 for the steel and bimetallic version, and $15,000 upwards for the gold and the iced version, with diamonds on the bezel.
A special version is the tiny Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin ref. 26586, with a 31 mm diameter, mounting the Caliber 5133.
THE ROYAL OAK CHRONOGRAPH LINE
Following the success of the collection, Audemars Piguet launched this popular version of the Royal Oak in 1998, when it introduced the Frederic Piguet (now Manufacture Blancpain)-made Caliber 2385 into the lineup of its watches. This movement equips several versions of the Royal Oak, from 38 mm to 42 mm.
The 39 mm versions are the following references:
ref. 25960 — various models;
A ref. 25960 starts from around $23,000 for the gold version with a wristband, and $33,000 for the gold version with a bracelet. The iced version, with diamonds on the bezel, retails for over $55,000.
The Ref. 26022 and 26068;
A ref. 26022 starts from around $19,000 for the steel version with a wristband, and $22,000 for the gold version with a wristband. The iced version, with diamonds on the bezel, retails for around $35,000.
The Ref. 26129 and 26161;
The Ref. 26557;
And the Ref. 26300 (2012-present).
A ref. 26300 starts from around $19,000 for the steel version with a bracelet.
The 38 mm version is the Ref. 26315 (2019-present).
A ref. 26315 starts from around $28,000 for the steel version with a bracelet, and $50,000 for the gold version with a bracelet.
The 41 mm versions are the Ref. 26320/26330 — various models (2012-present).
A ref. 26320 starts from around $20,000 for the steel version with a bracelet, and $32,000 for the gold version with a wristband. The gold version with wristband retails for about $46,000.
THE ROYAL OAK COMPLICATION LINE
Of course, the Royal Oak collection has featured models displaying significant complications, grand complications, and tourbillons, as well as some highly skeletonized pieces, in different sizes.
The Tourbillon Extra-Thin ref. 26510 — various models, is available in 41 mm, and mounts a Caliber 2924.
The Tourbillon Hand-Wound Extra-Thin ref. 26520 — various models, is the hand-wound version, mounting the same caliber.
A ref. 26510 starts from around $110,000.
There are also two versions of the Tourbillon Chronograph in 44 mm, the Ref. 25977 line (also 26039/26116/26377) mounting the Caliber 2889, and the Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 26343 and 26347, with the Caliber 2936.
A ref. 25977 starts from around $75,000 for the steel version with a bracelet, and $100,000 for the gold version with a bracelet.
On the top end of the line, we find the Equation of Time ref. 26603 (2010) — in 42 mm, mounting the Caliber 2120, and the Grand Complicated watches.
We are talking of several timepieces in 44 mm: the Grande Complication ref. 25865 line (Also 26065/26222/26552), and the Openworked Grande Complication Ref. 26065, all are mounting the Caliber 2885.
A ref. 26603 starts from around $80,000.
A ref. 26557 starts from around $75,000 for the steel version with a bracelet, and $100,000 for the gold version with a bracelet.
A Royal Oak Grande Complication starts from around $400,000 for the steel version with a bracelet, upwards to $675,000 for the Openworked version.
THE ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE
The Offshore is a sportier variety of the Royal Oak, dedicated to a younger audience, and it was launched on the 20th anniversary of its launch. The watch had huge success, as customers loved the design of the timepiece and the improved water resistance.
The modern offerings of the Offshore range from 45 mm of the Tourbillon models to the 37 mm of the diamond quartz model, and often mount wristbands in leather or rubber instead of the Genta-designed bracelet.
Apart from the regular models, the Offshore collection offers several limited editions dedicated to famous personalities.
45 mm
Offshore Chronograph Tourbillon, Ref. 26421, Caliber 2947
A ref. 26421 starts from around $105,000 for the steel version with a wristband, and $135,000 for the gold version with a wristband.
Offshore Chronograph Tourbillon Skeleton, Ref. 26348, Caliber 2936
A ref. 26348 starts from around $195,000 for the steel version with a wristband, and $215,000 for the gold version with a wristband.
44 mm
Offshore Chronograph Automatic, Ref. 26400 (various models), Caliber 3126
A ref. 26400 starts from around $23,000 for the steel version with a wristband, and $36,000 for the gold version with a wristband.
Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph, Ref. 26407, Caliber 2943
A ref. 26407 starts at around $250,000 and can go as high as $290,000 depending on condition.
Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph Automatic, Ref. 26540, Caliber 2897
A ref. 26540 starts from around $205,000 for the gold version with a wristband.
Offshore Grand Complication, Ref. 26571/25582, Caliber 2885
A ref. 26571 is currently trending at about $670,000 for the gold version with a wristband.
42 mm
Offshore Diver, Ref. 15710 (various models), Caliber 3120
A ref. 15710 starts from around $15,000 for the steel version with a wristband, and $29,000 for the black editions with a wristband.
Offshore Chronograph Automatic, Ref. 26237/26470/26480 (various models), Caliber 3126
A ref. 26237 starts from around $32,000 for the steel version with a bracelet.
Offshore Chronograph Automatic, Ref. 26480, Caliber 2385
A ref. 26480 starts from around $29,000 for the steel version with a wristband.
Offshore Chronograph Diver, Ref. 26703 (various models), Caliber 3124
A ref. 26703 starts from around $23,000 for the steel version with a wristband, and $40,000 for the black editions with a wristband.
37mm
Offshore Chronograph Summer Edition 2017, Ref. 26144, Caliber 2385
A ref. 26144 has a retail price of $29,000 but they’re extremely hard to find since its a “boutique” piece.
Offshore Chronograph Automatic, Ref. 26231/26236 (various models), Caliber 2385
A ref. 26231 starts from around $20,000 for the iced steel version with diamonds on the bezel and wristband, and $29,000 for the gold version with diamonds on the bezel and wristband.
Offshore Diamonds Quartz, Ref. 67543, Caliber 2716
A Ref. 67543 starts at around $470,000 if you can find one.
There you have it. Although this is a long list and might get confusing you can use it as a reference when researching prices for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak you’re in the market for.
Don’t forget to inquire with us at LuxuryBazaar.com about the Royal Oak you’re looking for, we either have it in stock at the best price or can source it for you.
