[2022 Latest Edition] Mechanical Watches "Top 10 Audemars Piguet Recommended Models"

Today, we will be bringing you the latest 2022 edition of "Audemars Piguet's Top 10 Recommended Mechanical Watch Models."

Audemars Piguet is known as one of the world's three major luxury watch brands, along with Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. The brand's flagship model, the Royal Oak, which was released in 1972, celebrated its 50th anniversary, creating a lot of excitement. In recent years, prices have risen sharply in the secondary market, making it difficult to buy, even at authorized retailers, but with changes in the surrounding economic situation, parallel prices seem to have stabilized somewhat. Despite concerns about the future, now may be the time to buy a model you want.

In addition to popular current models, we will be introducing a carefully selected range of recommendations, including models that have already been discontinued, so please enjoy until the end.

⇩Please take this opportunity to watch "Audemars Piguet's Top 8 Watches for 2020"⇩

① "Jules Audemars Extra-Thin" "Ref.15180OR.OO.A002CR.01"

*Source: https://www.swisswatchexpo.com/watches/audemars-piguet-jules-41mm-extra-thin-rose-gold-mens-watch-15180r-papers-39494/

This is a collection named after the brand's founder, Jules-Louis Audemars, and is a simple two-hand dress watch with a classical case and only hour and minute hands. The movement is the Cal.2120, which is based on the Cal.920 made by Jaeger-LeCoultre, developed in 1967, and the case is extremely thin, with a thickness of just 6.7mm. The crown is also designed to be small, highlighting the beauty of the mirror-finished bezel. I think this is classified as a model that is popular among connoisseurs of Audemars Piguet, but it is a dress watch that I highly recommend, including the great movement and design. Unfortunately, the Jules Audemars collection has already been discontinued, but the secondary market price has settled down relatively, so now may be a good time to buy it.

② "CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Automatic" "Ref.15210BC.OO.A002KB.01"

*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/audemars_piguet/code-11-59/code-11-59-237488/

Following the Royal Oak, Jules Audemars, and Royal Oak Offshore at SIHH in 2019, the CODE11.59 was announced as the first new collection in about 26 years, and is an ambitious work by Audemars Piguet that took about five years to develop. The combination of an 18KWG (white gold) case and a blue gradient dial is a popular model that has been sold in our store immediately. Due to the difficulty of obtaining the Royal Oak and successful marketing, it seems that the popularity of the CODE11.59 is spurred on. In 2022, the Ref.15210BC.OO.A002KB.02, which features an onyx dial with 8P diamond indexes, and the Ref.15210BC.OO.A021.CR.01, which features a sodalite dial with bucket diamond indexes, were announced exclusively in Japan, and it will be interesting to see how much they will sell for in the secondary market.

3. CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Chronograph, Ref. 26393OR.OO.A002KB.02

*Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/watch-collection/code-1159/26393OR.OO.A002KB.02.html

Next up, from the CODE11.59 series, we will introduce this model released in 2020, which has a beautiful contrast between the 18KPG (pink gold) case and the smoked purple lacquer dial. The movement "Cal.4401" has a flyback function that allows the chronograph to be instantly reset and started, making it easy to measure lap times. The inside of the windshield (the side facing the dial) is dome-shaped, and the dial's appearance is changed depending on the angle and the amount of light. In the CODE11.59 chronograph, the "Ref.26393BC.OO.A002KB.02", which features an onyx dial with bucket diamond indexes and is limited to Japan, was announced in 2022, and this is also likely to be popular.

④ "Royal Oak" "Ref.14790ST"

*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/audemars_piguet/royal-oak/royal-oak-190292/

This model, which is the predecessor to the Royal Oak Ref. 15300ST, has a case diameter of 36mm and a case thickness of about 8mm, making it easy to wear on Japanese wrists, and it still enjoys strong popularity. Its attractive features that are not available in the current model include short bar indexes, a closed back, and a specification with a logo called an "AP buckle." In addition, the "automatic" notation on the dial is small, which is thought to be due to the balance between the case diameter and the index. It seems that there are fewer and fewer units in circulation every year, so if you are looking for one, we recommend that you grab it early.

⑤ "Royal Oak" "Ref.15300ST.OO.1220ST.02"

*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/audemars_piguet/royal-oak/royal-oak-205042/

This model was released in 2005 as the successor to the previously introduced "Ref.14790ST", and is popular for its 39mm case size. The applied "AP logo" is placed at the 12 o'clock position, which is one of the points that the current model does not have. It is equipped with the thin movement "Cal.3120" developed in-house based on the "Cal.920" made by [Jaeger-LeCoultre], and the [Audemars Piguet] logo and the founding family crest engraved on the 22-karat rotor are used on the skeleton back, so you can enjoy the elaborate design. Of course, the current model "Ref.15510ST" also has an attractive design, but in comparison, the price is more stable, and I feel that the "Ref.15300ST" is a model worth aiming for, not only in terms of design and functionality.

⑥ "Royal Oak Championship Tantalum" "Ref. 56175TT"

*Source: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/fine-watches-10/reference-56175tt-o-0789tt-royal-oak-championship

This model was released in 1990 as a limited edition of 2000 pieces, to commemorate the victory of professional golfer Nick Faldo, who had been an ambassador for Audemars Piguet since 1988, in the Masters and British Open in 1990. This model is a combination model with a case made of tantalum, a rare metal that is non-allergenic and has excellent hardness, corrosion resistance, acid resistance, and heat resistance, and is made of SS (stainless steel). The movement is equipped with a quartz-type "Cal.2612", which is rare for a Royal Oak. One of the points is that TAN (tantalum) has a heavy finish because it is almost the same weight as pure gold. Although cases have become larger in modern times, it is recommended to use it as a dual-purpose watch because it is small at 33 mm in diameter.

⑦ "Royal Oak Chronograph Leo Messi" "Ref.26325OL.OO.D005CR.01"

*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/audemars_piguet/royal-oak/royal-oak-18/

This model, released in 2012 as a collaboration model with Lionel Messi, a professional soccer player who serves as an ambassador for Audemars Piguet, features a tantalum bezel. The case is available in three types: 18KPG (pink gold), PT (platinum), and SS (stainless steel), and the combination of SS (stainless steel) and tantalum is particularly popular. It was also the first Royal Oak model not to feature a tapestry dial, which was refreshing and may have further spurred its popularity. The contrast with the gray dial is also wonderful, and this is a watch that I would recommend not only to soccer fans, but also to those who want to experience Audemars Piguet's skill in using materials and those who are looking for a sophisticated design that is different from others.

8. Royal Oak Dual Time "Ref. 26120ST"

*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/audemars_piguet/royal-oak/royal-oak-188906/

This is the Royal Oak Dual Time, which was released in 2006 and is now discontinued. It is a dual time model that can display two different times. The sub-dials are equipped with a second time zone (at 6 o'clock), power reserve display (at 10 o'clock), and a pointer date calendar (at 2 o'clock), making it a very practical model. The sub-dials are well-balanced, giving it a clean design. The movement is equipped with the Cal. 2329/2846, which is based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal. 899, and the second time zone can be easily adjusted by turning the crown, making the linked day/night display very convenient. In addition, the case diameter is 39mm and the case thickness is 10.3mm, making it a very thin model that is easy to use. Of course, the simple three-hand model is also good, but compared to that, it has a lower evaluation in the secondary market, so it may be a good one to aim for.

9. Royal Oak "Ref.15550ST.OO.1356ST.02"

*Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/watch-collection/royal-oak/15550ST.OO.1356ST.02.html

This model, which was released as a 50th anniversary model in 2022, has a case diameter of 37mm, which is a size that is easy to wear on Japanese wrists. New dial colors have also been released for the 50th anniversary Royal Oak, with a green dial for the Ref. 15510ST and a light blue for the Ref. 15550ST. The movement is equipped with the in-house movement "Cal. 5900" equipped with a "50th anniversary rotor". The "50th anniversary rotor" will only be installed on units manufactured in 2022, so if you are thinking of getting the commemorative rotor specification, it may be a good idea to get it early.

10. Royal Oak "Ref. 15503BC.OO.1220BC.01"

*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/audemars_piguet/royal-oak/royal-oak-151052/

This rare model, released in 2021 with a worldwide limited edition of 300 pieces, features a vibrant blue dial and an 18KWG (white gold) case and bracelet, creating an elegant and beautiful design. While a stainless steel model may be more suitable for daily use, the overwhelming luxury and high-end feel of the 18KWG (white gold) is sure to grab your attention at first sight. Although it is priced at a price that makes it difficult to purchase, it is priced at a premium of about twice the list price in the secondary market. This is one of the models that we would like you to pick up and see its beauty.

summary

What did you think.

Audemars Piguet celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 2022. Although it is not listed in the catalog, the company has also released the Ref. 26730BC.GG.1320BC.01, which features a beautiful hammered blue dial and a tourbillon, and it seems that the company is continuing to try new things while respecting tradition. We will be keeping an eye on future developments!

Once again, I hope this article helps you find your favorite one.

see you!