1979 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 5402ST “Jumbo” With Box & Papers

Up for grabs is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Reference 5402 ST “Jumbo” with 39mm case in steel

Last series, D serial watch, which started production in 1979. The warranty papers are dated for this watch in 1984, at time of purchase. However, given this watch has a very early serial number, and is one of the first 10 produced in D series, I would assume the actual production is indeed in 1979.

According to AP’s records, there were only ever 404 units produced in steel during D series, the lowest production number amongst A, B, and C series. There were only 15 units produced in 1979 in steel.

The case on this watch is in excellent vintage condition. Very crisp and sharp, seemingly unpolished.

The dial on this watch is rather rare one. We would already expect a D series to have AP logo at 12 o’clock, as AP started doing that as early as 1977. By the way, the logo was moved from 6 o’clock to 12 o’clock not only for better esthetics, but also because sometimes the hands would rub, or even get stuck on the 6 o’clock logo and watchmakers would have to physically and manually bend them to clear the five to ten hundredths of a millimeter gap! However, what is not expected is this sort of anthracite hue on the dial. Typical service dials are marked “swiss made”, while this one has the “old style” Swiss only print. Around 2021, AP has introduced a new service dial, which has only SWISS on bottom, an anthracite-blue hue and logo at 12.

The bezel appears to have been touched up, presumably during this service.

The bracelet is original, in very tight condition, with enough links to fit a large wrist, about 7.75″

This AP also comes with its correct and original metal box, AP wallet, and original warranty papers.