Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 6008BA Quartz Red Khanjar Dial 18k YG Released in 1972 and designed by Gerald Genta, watchmaking's most famous designer, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was the first stainless steel luxury sports watch ever to exist. Released as a tactic to survive the quartz crisis, the Royal Oak can single-handedly be thanked for AP's existence today due to its astounding success, albeit it wasn't an overnight hit. Its sizeable tonneau-shaped case, signature integrated bracelet, octagonal bezel, exposed screws, and steel construction failed to win over collectors until a few years later. Today, the Royal Oak is one of the most highly-coveted timepieces in all horology as its previously dismissed design details have permeated across the industry and into watches like the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Vacheron Constantin Overseas, Rolex Oysterquartz, amongst many other legendary timepieces.
THE DIAL Boasting the Royal Oak's signature 'Petite Tapisserie' dial, this ref. 6008BA's dial sports the AP logo at 12 o'clock. Furthermore, this example features a red Khanjar dagger at 6 o'clock which designates it as an incredibly rare example that was ordered by the Sultanate of Oman to either be given as a gift or added to the royal collection.
THE CONSTRUCTION Boasting a 30mm diameter, the ref. 6008BA was the mini-sized variant of its day, allowing the Royal Oak's design to be enjoyed by those who weren't interested in its original 39mm "Jumbo" case, primarily women.
THE PROFILE Thanks to the Royal Oak's already thin design and the ref. 6008BA's quartz movement this Royal Oak has an extremely thin profile that sits incredibly flat on the wrist.
