Audemars Piguet - Royal Oak: The King is dead. Long live the King.

Royal Oak: The King is dead. Long live the King.

The first Royal Oak was “born” in 1972, already 40 years ago. Most of you know this, for sure. I guess quite a lot of you would agree that the 5402 was a king, when it was introduced – even when it was in steel.

There have been lots of evolutions (size, movement, design variations …) and today there is a big family after 40 years. A number of sizes have been offered (33.5mm – 42mm), if we speak only about the “simple” ones.

Different metals (or should I say materials, if we count in the ROO´s and concept watches?), different movements (Iterations from JLC, from F. Piguet, in-house … even Quartz was available), different complications … - some of them highly exclusive and desirable.

My question to all of you is :

Who is the (current) king in that royal family?

Is it the new 15202 – in steel?

Is it another member from the 40´s anniversary collection?

Made in steel, red gold or platinum?

Is it the new “basic” RO 15400? Is it another one from the (current?!) collection?

So, now it is up to you. Looking forward to get your point of view. Will work on mine, meanwhile

Oliver

This message has been edited by small-luxury-world on 2012-03-02 07:32:02

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15202, by far!

By: amanico : March 2nd, 2012-07:43

Damn you, I prepared a post on the 40th B.DAY with the same stuff!!! Ok, will post it in April! Back to your topic, my favourite is by far the 15202, which is faithful to the original, at the exception of the see through case back, but the movement is not...

so for the reason, that the king is not dead, ...

By: only5402 : March 2nd, 2012-08:23

there couldn´t be a proclamation of a new king, but for shure the new 15202 is a dignified descendand ( after a long time) of the 5402 regards stephan

15202....

By: moc : March 2nd, 2012-11:02

heirloom and proud carrier of the "jumbo"title....no doubt... Others are good and even magnificent,but THE ro is the Jumbo. Mo

15202 without a doubt....

By: Andy : March 2nd, 2012-11:04

this new version is a perfect homage to the original while being different at the same time. Love the date wheel colour matching the dial...gorgeous. Just out of interest when this first came out 40 years ago was it popular..? It seems modern by todays ta...

Another 15202 vote.

By: MichaelC : March 2nd, 2012-13:38

Just the perfect evolution and homage at the same time. Quite a unique accomplishment by AP.

IMO the simple and classic Jumbo is the king. Timeless... [nt]

By: Mineral : March 2nd, 2012-17:06

No message body

15202

By: TdotBean : March 2nd, 2012-18:05

Hard to improve on the original even for Genta himself. There aren't any RO for Genta after the RO if you know what I mean. Regards Tyler

Any AP know as a Jumbo is still king.

By: JerryW : March 2nd, 2012-21:24

Maybe he new AP 15400 will be known as the Super Size. Think I will stick with my 15202, the perfect AP IMHO. JerryW

king´s backbone looks like this

By: only5402 : March 2nd, 2012-22:41

...

The original King

By: Sandgroper : March 3rd, 2012-01:43

but I admit that the 15202 is extremely nice, love the dark date disc. Cheers, from Down Under Francois...

Yet another vote for the 15202

By: rovermark : March 3rd, 2012-02:28

Although I admit I am a bit biased.......

With good reason to be. [nt]

By: CaliforniaJed : March 3rd, 2012-09:20

No message body

15202.

By: optionc : March 3rd, 2012-02:30

This one is the return of the king!

From the current collection...........

By: VMM : March 3rd, 2012-10:02

..........15202, no doubt. I'm not sure about the new dimensions, would love to compare both 15202 and see how they feel on the wrist. When I tried it on at the SIHH, the feeling wasn't the expected, I don't know why. As I said before, I love the 37 mm, f...

Another vote for the 15202 [nt]

By: ED209 : March 3rd, 2012-12:16

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I would love 5402-A...

By: KIH : March 3rd, 2012-16:14

... if only it is available in the perfect state (meaning, box and papers and like new condition), but it is now unlikely, so I would call the new 15202 the King. What I like about the new King is its background color of the date and of course display bac...

Good point, Ken. That is the superiority of the 5402 on the 15202.

By: amanico : March 3rd, 2012-22:46

The thinness of the 5402 is remarkable, which is ont the case anymore with the 15202... not that it is not acceptable, don't get me wrong, but it is just not remarkable. And to me, it makes a big difference. Would the 15202 have been thinner with a solid ...

Are you trying to tempt me? :-)

By: KIH : March 4th, 2012-03:37

I already envy you for your 5402A!! Ken

Naaah, just a bit. :)

By: amanico : March 4th, 2012-03:39

Will try to take a decent picture of my set... Box, and paper. Best, Nicolas

If and when you get bored with it...

By: KIH : March 4th, 2012-04:12

... you know who to call, mon ami? Ken

LOL... I think I already have a list of 6 names, but yours will be put on the top. ;)

By: amanico : March 4th, 2012-06:57

Lucky me ...

By: small-luxury-world : March 4th, 2012-10:29

I am not on your list. Bastard! Devil! ... did I forget anything? Cheers, Oliver

Amanico? Which is a synonimous. :)

By: amanico : March 4th, 2012-10:57

different opinions - so a neutral decission says....

By: only5402 : March 3rd, 2012-23:00

...

His Master's voice. :)))

By: amanico : March 3rd, 2012-23:28

15202 seems to be one ...

By: small-luxury-world : March 4th, 2012-12:21

of the candidates with the most votes, even when it was not allways clear to me if the vote was for the "old" or the new one. This is my reply : A Royal Oak in RG with a tourbillon is for sure an impressive watch and one I could imagine on a CEO´s wr...

Outstanding reply Oliver.

By: MichaelC : March 5th, 2012-09:59

And a terrific post here. Well done. To the content, I voted for the new 15202, but can one really pick against the 5402? For me the word is "current", and of course of the selections available to us now it has to be the new 15202. I have always wanted a ...

Michael, thanks a lot for your reply.

By: small-luxury-world : March 7th, 2012-13:40

Oliver

Clear and perfect summary

By: moc : March 5th, 2012-14:05

You are right Oliver, no much point to hunt a A,B,c series,at least for me,too difficult,requires too much trust in the seller or an incredible knowledge. I am too looking for a Jumbo,the one...my choice would be the Jubilee,still very faithful(I can t re...

Mo, thanks for your reply and ...

By: small-luxury-world : March 7th, 2012-13:42

with your latest purchase you can be very relaxed, when it comes to RO´s Lucky you! Oliver