Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 4100ST
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. With its 39mm stainless steel case it was quickly nicknamed the “Jumbo” due to how much larger it was compared to other watches from the time. As a result, AP decided to down-size the Royal Oak in 1976 by launching the ref. 8638, a 29mm female variant and the ref. 4100ST, which we have here, in 1977. Sized at 35mm, the ref. 4100ST was much more in tune with how large watches were in the seventies and thus a popular model with around 8400 pieces produced between 1977 and 1984. Launched as the third Royal Oak variant ever, the ref. 4100ST features the Royal Oak’s signature ‘Petite Tapisserie’ dial, but with the inclusion of a central seconds hand, the result of its automatic cal. 2325 movement. Launched in stainless steel, two-tone and all gold, the model we have here is the stainless steel variant – the truest reflection of the Royal Oak’s iconic identity.
Brand : Audemars Piguet
Model : Royal Oak
Reference : 4100ST
Year : Circa 1980s
Material : Stainless steel
Dial Color : Black
Dimensions : 35mm
Movement : Automatic cal. 2325
Bracelet : Stainless steel bracelet
Condition : Excellent
Included : Watch, service pouch and 2024-dated AP service invoice and receipt
THE DIAL Boasting the Royal Oak's signature 'Petite Tapisserie' dial, this example's dial sports an AP logo with a beautiful patina and wonderfully aged lume in its hour markers and hands.
THE CONSTRUCTION Boasting a 35mm diameter, the ref. 4100ST was the mid-sized variant of its day, allowing the Royal Oak's design to be enjoyed by those could not handle its original 39mm "Jumbo" case.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
