2000s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (Ref. 14790ST) Blue "Mk. III" Dial

The Royal Oak was designed by the legendary Gerald Genta for Audemars Piguet in 1972. That original piece, the ref. 5402, was the most expensive steel watch ever made at the time and was the brand's attempt to shake the standards by introducing a luxury watch in steel that was oversized and pushed the boundaries of the current design trends of the era. The risk obviously paid off, as the steel Royal Oak has become an icon that perfectly strikes a balance between utilitarian function and timeless design. Featuring a beautifully finished case and bracelet, with angular, beveled, and polished edges, plus a polished bezel, screws and case edge that fantastically contrast with the brushed surface of the case and bracelet to make for one of the most intriguing watches to come out of the era.

Naturally, the Royal Oak was refined through the 20th century, and in the late 1980s Audemars Piguet introduced the reference 14790, a new 36mm variation of the iconic model. The ref. 14790 has since been revered by collectors for being one of the most proportional and wearable Royal Oak references, along with being one of the most interesting to study. With a production life spanning well into the 2000s, the ref. 14790 saw numerous metal combinations and dial variations, each as fun to collect as the other, though we love the purest representation of the Royal Oak, being in stainless steel with the classic blue tapisserie dial.