Shortly after the models were unveiled to the world, they both created mid-size collections, with a diameter ranging between 35mm and 37.5mm. To complement their bold offering, both Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe decided to downsize their disruptive steel sports watches, in order to bring them to a wider audience. Considering their low production numbers at the time, this is rather impressive. Specifically, it took about three years for Audemars Piguet to sell the first 2,000 Royal Oaks. Known as the “Jumbo” models, because of their oversized proportions, relative to the tastes of the time, they eventually grew to achieve commercial success, contrary to popular belief.
Royal d hiide series#
The story goes that the first series of Genta’s designs, the Royal Oak and the Nautilus took a while to develop a following. In time, it gradually helped to build a resurgence within Swiss watchmaking, firmly establishing a newfound appreciation for steel.
The day before Baselworld, Gérald Genta was approached to sketch a design for a new watch that, one year later, would disrupt the norms on which the industry was built.
The story of Audemars Piguet and the Royal Oak is one that is written into horological lore. Having recently had the opportunity to visit the archives at Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, we thought this was the perfect opportunity for an in-depth Collector's Guide on the most distinctive of the mid-size Royal Oak references - the 14790. Drawing on their extensive archival documents and pieces, we dive deep into the model, which seems to have recently been rediscovered by collectors at large. We have long been fascinated with mid-size executions of iconic designs, notably the Nautilus and the Royal Oak.
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