Year: Circa 1978
Reference No: 5402
Movement No: 175’276
Case No: C1’945
Model Name: Royal Oak "C Series"
Material: Stainless steel
Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2121/1, 36 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 170mm
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp

- Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak stands as one of the most iconic luxury sports watches ever made. Along with Patek Philippe's Nautilus and Vacheron Constantin's 222, the Royal Oak revolutionized watch design in the 1970s as manufacturers responded to the quartz crisis. - When released in 1972, the Royal Oak commanded the highest price ever for a stainless steel watch, costing more to produce than Audemars Piguet's gold dress watches due the difficulty in finishing stainless steel to their exceptional standard. - Famed designer Gérald Genta created its ingeniously engineered, maritime-inspired case with an octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws. The striking tapisserie dial was equally groundbreaking. Though initially met with skepticism by competitors, the Royal Oak proved an enduring success, today accounting for the majority of Audemars Piguet's sales. - Early examples featured the "AP" logo at 6 o'clock before later versions moved it to 12 o'clock. Collectors denote the "series" by the case number on the back, with the earliest designated "A-Series." This circa 1978 model with case number "C1945" hails from the original "C-Series". Nicknamed the "Jumbo" for its large 39mm size, the ref. 5402 pioneered oversized sports watches. - Offered in very good overall condition, this early Royal Oak encapsulates the magic of the model that sparked a luxury sports watch revolution. For the discerning collector, it is a landmark timepiece showcasing timeless, avant-garde design.