The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "Jumbo"

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "Jumbo" is a horological icon. But, while widely sought after by seasoned collectors, the earliest Royal Oaks are some of least understood sport watches of the last 50 years. Beginning with the Reference 5402ST, so-called "A Series" Royal Oaks differ in physically slight by historically prominent ways from the later B and C series, and subsequent references of the Royal Oak. Here we will delve into the history of the original Royal Oak, how it saved Audemars Piguet from bankruptcy, what to look for when buying an "A-Series" and finally dispel some rumors that have plagued the collecting community for years. We'll also hear from current Audemars Piguet executives on what the Jumbo represents to the brand and where it is headed in the years to come.

The first Royal Oak (reference 5402ST) was introduced to the world in 1972. It was Audemars Piguet's last chance at surviving one of the roughest periods in the company's century-old history. What made the first Royal Oak so risky for the Le Brassus manufacture was that the watch was constructed entirely out of stainless steel yet cost more than most 18k gold timepieces AP was producing at the time.

The movement inside the so-called Jumbo was an ultra thin self-winding caliber that was co-developed with Jaeger-LeCoultre. Dubbed the 920 by JLC and the 2121 by AP, the movement would later be used by Patek Philippe in its own steel sport watch also designed by Gerald Genta, the Nautilus.

The Royal Oak Jumbo is still made today much as it was in 1972. The Reference 15202 is as faithful a descendent to the 5402ST as one could hope for, with nominal physical differences and even the use of the very same caliber. While the Jumbo has remained a cult favorite for decades, modern-day Audemars Piguet has recently made strives to elevate the particular reference, the watch that saved the company from financial dire, to an even higher position among the masses. The Ref 15202 Jumbo is no longer kept in stock at any authorized dealers or manufacture-owned boutiques - they must be specially ordered. In fact, there is currently a 6-month waiting list to receive a Jumbo at the Audemars Piguet boutique in Geneva. Rumors have it that only ten (yes, ten!) 15202s will make it to market in 2010 as AP seeks to limit the availability of its most important reference.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo 15202ST for man .40mm in Diameter .Transparent Case Back Identical to Original ,No Second Hand .An year 2002 E-Serial reproduction .18k Yellow Gold Screws ,316L Stainless steel watchcase, stem, and wristband ,Sapphire crystal glass .Finest redial work with Audemars Piguet logo and scripts on the dial ,OEM Size Crown & Tube.Screw in stem provides water resistance up to 100m (330ft) exactly like an original .Wristband links are connected by screws as original, not by pins.Available in White, Blue, and Black。

With the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak approaching, AP's renewed commitment to shining a light on the Jumbo, and fewer original examples of the early Royal Oaks surfacing, now is good a time as any to understand just what makes the original Royal Oak, reference 5402st, one of the most important watches in the world.