Shop Pre-Owned AP Royal Oak Watches With Bezel
Are you interested in adding the coveted Audemars Piguet Royal Oak to your collection? Learn more about this watch and check the features of various models on the Bezel platform. A unique timepiece that revolutionized the luxury watch industry, the AP Royal Oak stands out as one of the true icons of the sports watch category. The watch pioneered a completely new design and showcased an innovative use of materials. The octagonal design and integrated bracelet are a few of the features that have helped this watch win over fans and confirm its place as a masterpiece of horology.
The Legacy of AP Royal Oak Watches
The Royal Oak is Audemars Piguet’s flagship model. Although it was launched officially in 1972, the story of this watch collection began about two years earlier. In 1970, Georges Golay, AP’s managing director, commissioned the renowned designer Gerald Genta to create a waterproof steel sports watch. It was an unusual request for a watchmaking company that had always been associated with exquisite dress watches and grand complications.
The timing made the request even more interesting. In the 1970s, the traditional watchmaking industry faced dwindling customers due to the growing popularity of battery-powered quartz watches. Many Swiss watchmaking companies faced an uncertain future, and watchmakers like AP needed to create something spectacular to win back customers' hearts.
Gerald Genta’s answer to that request was a unique timepiece that forever changed the luxury watch industry. The new watch was named after an English oak tree within which King Charles II hid following the Battle of Worcester in 1651, and the famous British naval warships named for it. The name makes sense even more when considering Genta’s inspiration for this watch was a diver’s helmet. The unique design is characterized by an octagonal bezel held down by eight screws and a robust integrated bracelet.
The choice of material made this new watch even more impactful, causing a major uproar in the luxury watch industry. Audemars Piguet constructed the earliest Royal Oak timepiece out of stainless steel. Not only was this unusual at a time when luxury watches were traditionally made out of precious metals such as gold or platinum, but the watchmaker also dared to sell this watch at the same price as precious metal timepieces.
Expectedly, the Royal Oak sent shockwaves through the industry, but the quirks didn’t stop it from becoming instantly successful. In fact, this new watch led to the creation of an entirely new category of watches - luxury steel sports. The Royal Oak became one of the most important watches in AP’s catalog, inspiring several other watchmakers to create similar watches.
What Does an AP Royal Oak Watch Cost
The Royal Oak is AP’s largest and most varied watch collection. This means this collection has watches across a wide range of budget categories. Women’s watches powered by quartz movements are the most affordable, followed by the men’s stainless steel models. The collection also has a few precious metal variants, which tend to cost more than the stainless steel options. The AP Royal Oak models with complications are generally the most expensive.
Retail Cost
Royal Oak prices vary considerably even in retail. You can expect to spend an average of $44,000 on this watch. However, prices can be higher or lower than this depending on the specific model you’re buying. The most affordable ladies' watches in this collection can cost as low as $18,000 from authorized retailers. While self-winding men’s watches cost about $27,000 to $30,000. The complicated models are generally the most expensive. You can expect to spend upward of $70,000 if you buy a complicated Royal Oak at retail.
How Much Does a Pre-Owned AP Royal Oak Cost
Royal Oak watches tend to appreciate considerably in the secondary market due to their high demand. A pre-owned AP Royal Oak watch can cost between $20,000 and over $100,000, depending on the specific model you’re buying. Note that there are more expensive and less expensive examples outside this range.
The most costly Royal Oak watches are the variants with complications. Chronographs cost about $40,000 to $100,000 in the pre-owned market. Similarly, models with perpetual calendar functions or tourbillon are the most expensive, ranging from about $150,000 to over $250,000.
Key Features of Royal Oak Offshore Watches
Octagonal Bezel
The Octagonal bezel is the signature feature of the AP Royal Oak. This design feature is based on the shape of a diver’s helmet. In addition to giving this watch a recognizable appearance, the eight-sided bezel also adds to the bold and robust aesthetic of this timepiece.
Integrated Bracelet
The Royal Oak features a unique bracelet design that blends perfectly into the case. This creates a smooth visual transition from the sleek case to the bracelet to the clasp. This simple design feature gives the Royal Oak an elegant appearance while contributing to its ergonomics and comfort on the wrist.
Hexagonal Screws
This is one of the more subtle but notable features of the Royal Oak. The eight screws are both functional and decorative. They are made from high-grade materials and help secure the case's bezel. The visible screws also contribute to the rugged aesthetics of this watch, which is just what you’ll expect from a sports watch.
Tapisserie Dial
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches are characterized by an intricate Tapisserie pattern on the dial, which is typically created using a “guilloché copying” machine. The pattern, which resembles a hobnail or waffle design, gives the dial a rich texture and contributes to the distinct look of the Royal Oak timepiece. The earliest models of this watch were presented in a night blue color, but several color variants now exist in modern Royal Oak watches.
Popular AP Royal Oak Watches
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak collection includes many models and subcollections. Each of these variants offers unique features that set them apart. From the extra sporty Royal Oak offshore to intricate models with complications and the numerous futuristic designs in the Concept collection, the Royal Oak collection has something for everyone, regardless of your taste or preferences. Some of the most popular Royal Oak models are listed below:
Selling Your Royal Oak Offshore is Easy with Bezel
As one of the best-selling AP watches, your cherished Royal Oak has a good chance of fetching you great returns on investment. Do you own an example that you'd like to sell? You can easily sell your AP Royal Oak on the Bezel marketplace and get full value.
We offer a reliable platform to connect with thousands of collectors and enthusiasts who may be interested in purchasing your Royal Oak watches. Beyond just listing your watch on the Bezel marketplace, we offer comprehensive sales services that cover every aspect of the sales process. This includes appraising the value of your watch, ascertaining its condition, promoting your watch, and handling all interactions with potential buyers on your behalf. Contact us to get your watch listed on our massive pre-owned luxury watch marketplace.
Turn to Bezel for All of Your Luxury Wristwatch Needs
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a novice buyer looking to add pre-owned luxury watches to your collection, you can shop the pre-owned market with ease on the Bezel marketplace. We list some of the most popular and highly sought-after watch models from top brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Omega, and more on our marketplace.
The Bezel app offers a modern and intuitive interface for shopping for luxury watches. On this platform, you can search for specific models or use filters like the brand name, case material, size, and even price to narrow your search and find the perfect watch.
For buyers with specific models in mind and those unsure of their planned purchase, we offer a special concierge service to guide you through luxury watch shopping. Our expert advisors will also help you shop for specific models through a network of reliable sellers. All watches on our platform have been verified through an in-house authentication process so that you can shop with confidence and peace of mind. Our buyer protection policy also assures the quality and authenticity of every watch you buy on Bezel.
