Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 66339ST Quartz Steel "Baby-Oak" Oxidized Tropical Dial
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 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 Featuring the Royal Oak's standard 'Petite Tapisserie" dial with a heavily-tropicalized patina, this example's display takes on a combination of black with an impressive showing of gold throughout, which serves as a reminder of just how unique a timepiece can look after decades of ageing.
THE CONSTRUCTION Svelte in its sizing at 26mm in diameter, the ref. 6007ST maintains the Royal Oak's iconic aesthetic so that even with its smaller sizing it still packs an impressive presence on the wrist.
THE PROFILE Thanks to its quartz movement, this example takes the Royal Oak's already-thin and angular case and makes it even thinner, which accentuates its iconic lines and sharp corners.
