Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 08, 2020

LOT 405

AUDEMARS PIGUET, REF. 5402, JUMBO
ROYAL OAK, B SERIES, 40TH EVER
PRODUCED, YELLOW GOLD

CHF 60,000 - 120,000

HKD 480,000 - 960,000 / USD 60,000 - 120,000

Sold: CHF 150,000

A fine, large, extremely rare, iconic, self-winding, 18k yellow gold wristwatch with date.


Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2-02

Very good

HANDS Service hands

Brand Audemars Piguet

Model Royal Oak

Reference 5402

Year Sold in June 1977

Movement No. 172010

Case No. B 12789/ No. 040

Bracelet 18k yellow gold Audemars Piguet bracelet with yellow gold deployant buckle, approx. overall length 170 mm

Caliber 2121/1

Dimensions 39 mm

Signature Dial, case and movement

Accessories Certificate of authenticity

Notes

Debuted in 1972 the Royal Oak Reference 5402 was designed by Gerald Genta, 4 years before the Nautilus of Patek Philippe, also designed by Genta.
Nicknamed “Jumbo” by collectors, it owes this nickname to its tonneau-shaped case measuring 39mm. very large for the time.
Avant-garde, it was the first all-steel watch considered a luxury watch, more expensive at the time than a dress watch in precious metal. Another characteristic: its case is made of only two parts: the caseback and the caseband in a single part entirely maintained by the screwed octagonal bezel, allowing a perfect water-resistance.
Reference 5402 houses a version of the highly appreciated JaegerLecoultre 920 movement, the ultra-thin AP 2121 calibre.
This reference has been produced in four series marked: A (approximately 2000 pieces), B (between 1000 and 2000 pieces), C and D, each of them with small modifications to the bracelet, dial and movement.
Series A and B are distinguished by the placement of the “AP” logo above 6 o’clock, compared to the more recent examples generally bearing the “AP” logo at 12 o’clock. A true watchmaking icon, this gold example is numbered 040 on the case back, indicating that it is the 40th Royal Oak 18k yellow gold produced and was made in a very limited production.