PHILLIPS: A preview of the Audemars Piguet fake watches Royal Oak 50th anniversary sale

“The Royal Oak 50th” is a themed sale dedicated to the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic fake watches in watchmaking: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The auction will take place on May 6, 2022 at the Hôtel La Réserve in Geneva. This carefully selected sale will offer 88 of the finest, rarest and best-preserved Royal Oak fake watches known.

Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo announces “The Royal Oak 50th”, a themed sale dedicated to the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic fake watches in watchmaking: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The auction will take place on May 6, 2022 at the Hôtel La Réserve in Geneva.

Launched in 1972 at the Basel Fair, Audemars Piguet’s introduction of the Royal Oak marked the beginning of the luxury sports watch market as we know it today, causing an immediate sensation as the watch industry had never before seen anything comparable. Public think that the Royal Oak is one of the most important and relevant watches in watchmaking history: it invented a genre, there was a before and after. This carefully selected sale will feature 88 of the finest, rarest and best-preserved Royal Oak wristwatches known.

Alexandre Ghotbi, Watch Director for Continental Europe and the Middle East, and Virginie Liatard Roessli, Watch Specialist and Sales Director, commented: “This carefully selected sale will give insight into the complex and diverse world of this watchmaking icon. We see how, with a single reference, the 5402 from 1972, Audemars Piguet created not only a genre but also a design language that it then immediately began to develop, experimenting with sizes, complications and metals.

To our knowledge, we have never seen or heard of a collection of so many historically important, rare and in some cases unique Royal Oak models gathered in one place or displayed to the public. We are honored to be a part of the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak and would like to thank the Audemars Piguet fake archives department teams for their support.”

Ref 5402ST A2

This is the oldest reference number 5402 to appear at auction as it bears the number A2, making it the second Royal Oak ever made! Another historic element is that this watch was one of four Royal Oak models that Audemars Piguet presented to the media and the public at the opening of Baselworld in 1972. Also, this watch comes with a full set of accessories, but it is still unused. Estimated CHF200,000-400,000

Ref 5402ST – Karl Lagerfeld Black PVD coated “A series”

Karl Lagerfeld’s black PVD-coated reference 5402. Lagerfeld was a German creative director, fashion designer, artist. And photographer best known for his work at the helm of fashion powerhouses Chanel and Fendi. We can see Lagerfeld wearing different sizes of black PVD Royal Oak models, which he later gifted to friends and collaborators.

Considering the provenance of the piece, purchased in Italy in early 1974 when Lagerfeld lived there. It returned to the market in 1995 and remained in the same collection for more than two decades. There are vintage photos showing Lagerfeld wearing a black PVD Ref 5402. The location and level of wear and tear of the watch led Phillips watch experts to believe that the watch once belonged to Lagerfeld. Estimate CHF100,000-200,000

Ref 25831ST Tourbillon in Stainless steel

Manufactured in 1997 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak. This watch features a tourbillon for the first time. Audemars Piguet made only 25 pieces, in this case number 1. Estimate CHF 120,000-240,000

Ref 25865ST Grande Complication

This impressive Royal Oak in stainless steel is a Grand Complication in the truest horological sense. Elegantly bringing together three complications that are extremely difficult to master: a minute repeater, a perpetual calendar and a split-seconds chronograph. It is a unique piece. Estimate CHF250,000-500,000

Ref 25990BC Grande Complication

The second Grand Complication in the sale is also a unique piece. Not only is it a technical marvel that combines a minute repeater, perpetual calendar and split-seconds chronograph. But Audemars Piguet has lavishly set its white gold case with diamonds and a visually stunning pearl sub-dial. Estimate CHF250,000-500,000 best replica watches

Ref 25636PT Openwork perpetual calendar in platinum

This all-platinum perpetual calendar is one of the first variants to feature an openwork dial that exposes the magical wonders of the perpetual calendar mechanism. Featuring rare midnight blue subdials, the model does not feature a leap year indicator. Only 41 pieces were made in platinum. Estimated CHF200,000-400,000

Ref 25829TP Openwork perpetual calendar in platinum and tantalum

One of only 16 pieces made, this watch features a mix of metals rarely seen in watchmaking. The matte sheen of platinum with the bluish/grey tones of tantalum provides a completely captivating look. Estimate CHF120,000-240,000

Ref 14802PT Jubilee in platinum

Launched for the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 1992. The ref 14802 was available in an ultra-exclusive edition of 20 platinum pieces. Among which a very low number featured the beautiful “Toscan” blue dial, like the one seen on this example. Estimate CHF250,000-500,000