Going down as one of the most iconic models of wristwatch ever, the Audemars Piguet is the watch that created the luxury steel sports watch category when it was released in 1972. Released to save the brand from imminent doom thanks to the Quartz Crisis, the Royal Oak managed to successfully bring Audemars Piguet back from the brink and allow the company to grow to what they are today.
Designed by the legendary Gerald Genta, the Royal Oak is iconic for its octagonal bezel, integrated bracelet, and tapisserie pattern dial, all aesthetic pillars of the watch still to this day. While the watch originally broke trends within the industry due to its large size, earning it the ‘Jumbo’ nickname, the ref. 25594 that I have on offer here measures in at 36mm giving it a fantastically vintage feel.
Thanks to its complex movement, however, the ref. 25594 is a bit thicker than the standard time-only Royal Oak, measuring in at 9mm. This combines with the 36mm vintage-feel diameter to give the ref. 25594 fantastically modern wrist presence. As mentioned, the ref 25594 has a complex movement fitted with a day, date, and moon-phase display. The date is indicated at the 3 o’clock position, the day on the 9 o’clock position, and the phase of the moon a the 6 o’clock position.
The ref. 25594 that I have on offer here comes in a bimetal configuration with an 18kt gold bezel and gold dual center links in the bracelet. Complimenting this bimetal construction is a gorgeously aged white dial with the old-style AP logo, yellow gold applied indices, and gold sub-dial peripheries, all of which combine to amplify the visual appeal offered by the gorgeous yellow gold. Iconic and moderately sized, this ref. 25594 would make for a gorgeous addition to any collection and look fantastic on every wrist.
