Audemars Piguet is a long-established Swiss luxury watch brand, one of the world's three biggest watch brands. Its flagship model, the Royal Oak, has produced many models over the 50 years since its launch. Among them, the core model, the stainless steel three-hand model, is extremely popular and always trades at a high price on the market.
This time, we will go back three generations and thoroughly compare the SS (stainless steel) models of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (Ref. 15400ST, Ref. 15500ST, Ref. 15510ST)! If you want a Royal Oak but are unsure which model to buy or want to know the history of the Royal Oak, this is a must-read, so be sure to read until the end.
- ◆ Introducing the three generations of the Royal Oak
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◆ Specification comparison between "Ref.15400ST" and "Ref.15500ST"
- ❶【Case】
- ❷ [Dial][Dial]
AUTOMATIC notation
Reference 15400ST can be Reference 15500ST none On the "Ref. 15500ST," the "AUTOMATIC" notation has been removed, and the font size of the "AP" logo and "AUDEMARS PIGUET" has been increased.Calendar display size
Reference 15400ST small Reference 15500ST big The "Ref. 15500ST" has no index at the 3 o'clock position, and the calendar display has been enlarged to make the date easier to see.index
Reference 15400ST Thin and long Reference 15500ST Short and thick The indexes of the "Ref.15400ST" were thin and long, while those of the "Ref.15500ST" are thick and short, improving visibility. The second hand of the "Ref.15500ST" is designed with a hollowed-out base.❸【Movement】
Movement
Reference 15400ST Cal.3120 Reference 15500ST Cal.4302 The "Ref.15400ST" was equipped with the "Cal.3120", a low-beat movement with a vibration rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour, but the "Ref.15500ST" is equipped with the new "Cal.4302" movement, which realizes a high-beat design with a vibration rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The power reserve has also been extended from approximately 60 hours to approximately 70 hours, making it more practical.
Spec comparison between "Ref.15500ST" and "Ref.15510ST"
Next, let's compare the "Ref.15500ST" and "Ref.15510ST".
The main specifications are as follows:Reference 15500STReference 15510ST
41mm Case diameter 41mm SS Bezel SS Black or Silver or Grey or Blue Dial Black or Silver or Gray or Blue or Khaki Luminova Luminous Luminova SS material SS SS bracelet SS 50m Waterproof 50m Automatic Drive system Automatic Cal.4302 Cal Cal.4302 Approximately 70 hours Power reserve Approximately 70 hours ❶【Dial】
AP Logo
Reference 15500ST can be Reference 15510ST none The 12 o'clock position on the Ref. 15500ST had the AP logo, which symbolizes Audemars Piguet, but the Ref. 15510ST does not. Instead, the index is longer and the shape is closer to that of the Ref. 15400ST, two generations before.Tapestry pattern on the outer periphery of the dial
Reference 15500ST none Reference 15510ST can be The "Ref. 15500ST" does not have a tapestry pattern on the outer edge of the dial, but the "Ref. 15510ST" has a tapestry pattern that extends all the way to the edge of the dial, giving the impression that the entire dial is larger.Dial Color Variations
Reference 15500ST Black or Silver or Grey or Blue Reference 15510ST Black or Silver or Gray or Blue or Khaki The dial color variations of the "Ref. 15500ST" are four colors, while the "Ref. 15510ST" is available in five colors, including the new "khaki."❷【Movement】
Automatic rotor
Reference 15500ST 22K gold rotor Reference 15510ST 50th Anniversary Rotor Both models are equipped with the same movement, Cal. 4302, but the Ref. 15510ST uses a special rotor for the 50th anniversary. Its distinctive features include the AUDEMARS PIGUET signature and the letters "50 YEARS" engraved on it, and it is the same color as the case. summary
What did you think?
This time, we compared three generations of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and we hope you can see how it has evolved over the years.
Each Royal Oak has its own unique charm: the Ref. 15400ST, which has a more modern 41mm size and became the foundation of today's Royal Oak; the Ref. 15500ST, which has improved visibility and practicality thanks to changes to the dial specifications; and the Ref. 15510ST, a special edition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak's birth.
Please come and find your favorite model.