Audemars Piguet

Let me take you on a little journey to uncover a hidden treasure in the world of Royal Oaks — the Audemars Piguet reference 14790ST. While the Royal Oak “Jumbo” 5402 gets most of the spotlight, the 14790ST is the quietly confident mid-size sibling that has been winning hearts quietly but surely.

First off, the 14790ST has an elegantly modest 36mm case. It’s not oversized, but looks bigger than its size due to those iconic integrated lugs and bracelet that hug the wrist perfectly—giving that bold Royal Oak presence without screaming “Look at me!”. Thickness-wise, it’s just about 7.5mm, keeping that slim profile true to the original design ethos by Gérald Genta.

What makes this reference so intriguing is its long production run—from the early 1990s well into the late 2000s—making it one of Audemars Piguet’s most versatile and enduring mid-size Royal Oaks. Over its production lifetime, it saw a variety of dial colors (ever heard of a bright yellow dial on a Royal Oak?), case metals, and even some neat technical tweaks. The movement inside is an AP caliber 2125, followed by upgrades through its life, some based on Jaeger-LeCoultre’s movements, which is pretty darn cool from a mechanical pedigree perspective.

Collectors dig into the different series of the 14790, from the rare and desirable MK1 with vintage-style dials and unsigned crowns, to the more modern dial designs in later series. A neat tidbit: some versions even came with a small date window border, adding to the dial’s unique personality.

Bracelet and case finishing won’t disappoint either - the famous beveled and polished edges, a hallmark of Royal Oak craftsmanship, are present and just as refined as their larger siblings. And in some lucky cases, you might even find one with a factory-upgraded bracelet swapped in later in its life, making it a hybrid of eras.

The 14790ST is celebrated for its versatility and the breadth of dial options and materials it was produced in, including steel, two-tone steel and gold, tantalum variants, and even rare platinum editions with diamond hour markers. While the 14790 may have been overshadowed by the larger Jumbos, fans of the brand today are waking up to its charm and "approachable" price point. It offers that vintage vibe with modern wearability and a story that’s rich in horological history.

So, if you’re into something that’s just a little bit different from the usual suspects in the Royal Oak family but still packed with heritage and style, the 14790ST might just be that cool secret you want on your wrist.

But you're right, it's not exactly flying under the radar anymore. Let me take you on a little detour to a reference that deserves way more love: the Audemars Piguet 14790ST.

Now, this one's like that cool cousin who doesn’t say much but shows up looking sharp every time, 36mm of pure Royal Oak DNA, just scaled down a bit. But don’t let the size fool you. Thanks to those classic integrated lugs and bracelet, it wears bigger than you'd think. Still slim, still elegant, still very Genta.

What makes the 14790 really sing is the variety. Produced from 1992 all the way 2006, this thing came in more flavors than your favorite gelato shop. Steel, two-tone, tantalum, even platinum with diamonds if you're feeling fancy. Estimates are between 5,000 to 10,000 watches produced during the run. And the dials? Everything from classic black and blue to wild yellow and yes, yellow! Try finding that in a Royal Oak today.

Inside, you’re getting an AP caliber based on Jaeger-LeCoultre architecture. Smooth, reliable, and with that touch of mechanical finesse we all love. Plus, over the years, there were subtle evolutions — different hands, dial textures, even date window styles. You can go nerd-mode diving into the MK1, MK2, MK3 variations. That’s half the fun.

And let’s not forget the finishing, that Royal Oak bracelet still shines with its brushed and polished edges, just like its big brothers. Some even got bracelet upgrades at the factory later in life, which adds a layer of character you can’t buy new today.

Bottom line? The 14790ST is for folks who want the Royal Oak experience without being the loudest guy in the room. It’s vintage meets versatile. Collectible but wearable. Under the radar — for now.

So yeah, keep an eye out. This one’s a sleeper... but not for long.

but even more to the 14800st, to which I dedicated a thread:  www.watchprosite.com

Especially on that 14800 reference.

My first AP was a blue dial 14790ST from an authorized dealer like 20 years ago, paid ~SGD 7.5K+ for it.

Then I also bought a pre-owned Military dial 14790ST for about SGD 6.5K.

They were already quite popular back in those days, but watches are relatively cheaper then. I remember very well that the Jumbo 15202ST can be had for about SGD 10K. USD to SGD was like 1.7+ then too.

Anyway, the 14790ST looks great on your wrist. Enjoy the beauty.

The issue is finding one in great unpolished condition. This one certainly is superb.