In December 1875, Jules Louis Audemars formed a partnership with his childhood friend, Edward Auguste Piguet. In 1881, the two watchmakers created officially Audemars Piguet & Cie based in la Vallée de Joux. The Royal Oak was launched in 1972, after Audemars Piguet called on the genius of iconic designer Gerald Genta to produce a sports-chic wristwatch. It was amed after a series of eight military vessels of Britain's Royal Navy (in service 1769 - 1818) which in turn took their name from the ancient hollowed oak tree within which the King Charles II of England (1630-1685) hid to escape the Roundheads - the supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War - following the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

This timeless model is known in many variations. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the model, Audemars Piguet launched in 2012 a revised edition of the Royal Oak which encountered a huge success : the extra-thin "Jumbo" reference 15202. This reference is a true “homage” to the 1970’s original featuring an iconic octagonal profile, deep blue tapisserie dial, applied “AP” logo at 6 o’clock, and the ultra-thin caliber 2121. The most obvious difference is the sapphire crystal back which allows us to admire the groundbreaking movement. A true modern-vintage masterpiece !