Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 14700SA 'Mini Jumbo'

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It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the mid-size Royal Oak executions.

The classic ‘Jumbo’ Royal Oak is a veritable design classic, but for the modestly wristed among us its dimensions can be a bit overbearing. Cue the mid-size models. Audemars Piguet began producing smaller versions of this iconic watch very soon after the introduction of the original ref. 5402. Ranging from 33 to 37 mm, depending on the reference, these are the perfect alternative for people that have smaller wrists or just prefer a more classic-sized watch.

Among these different versions, there’s one uncommon reference that is perhaps closest to the original ‘Jumbo’ Royal Oak. With a case diameter of 36 mm, the ref. 14700 has a distinctive look due to its thin bezel and larger dial when compared to other mid-size models. As a result the watch wears slightly larger on the wrist (compared to the more ‘stubby’ mid-size alternatives) and is much closer in looks to the original ‘Jumbo’ Royal Oak. Hence the moniker ‘Mini Jumbo’!

What makes the reference 14700 even more uncommon is that it’s a transitional reference that was produced for just about a year in the period 1991-1992. This two-tone version features a stainless steel case with the iconic octagonal screwed bezel executed in 18k yellow gold, and a matching steel and gold integrated bracelet. The classic champagne dial features Audemars Piguet’s ‘Petite Tappisserie’ pattern together with elegant long applied 18k yellow gold indices

This rare Royal Oak variety is in great condition and is accompanied by an extract from the Audemars Piguet archives.

Introduction

Audemars PiguetAudemars Piguet is among the holy trinity Swiss maisons d’horlogerie alongside Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. Audemars Piguet has a storied history of producing high-complication watches. It all started in 1875, when Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet founded the company in the heart of the Vallée de Joux, Le Brassus, Switzerland. This pure, rough and wild landscape, with deep, dark forests, ice-cold waters and the omnipresence of rocks and hills, provided inspiration and raw materials for the Swiss watch manufacture to develop the finest watches. Since its inception, Audemars Piguet has specialized in rare, valuable and highly-complicated watches like perpetual calendars, chronographs and chiming watches. Nowadays, the emphasis of Audemars Piguet lies on the iconic Royal Oak line.Royal OakIn 1970, Audemars Piguet instructed Genta to come up with an unprecedented steel watch. As the story goes, he found inspiration whilst seeing a diver at work with an old-fashioned diver’s helmet near Lake Geneva. Staying up all night, Genta drew the design for a circular case with an angular, octagonal bezel, eight visible screws, and an integrated bracelet. The Royal Oak was presented in 1972 as the most expensive steel watch available and it caused an uproar: why was a distinguished maison d’horlogerie putting out a sports watch, let alone in such pedestrian material? Some experts even predicted that the Royal Oak would put Audemars Piguet out of business. Though it took a while to catch on, the Royal Oak is now one of the most iconic and long-lasting watch designs and has spawned an entire product line. It wouldn’t be the first time that Genta would prove a brand’s owners, customers, and industry experts wrong.

Specifications

Shipping

Packages are generally dispatched within 2 days after receipt of payment and are shipped within the Netherlands by Registered Mail through the Dutch carrier PostNL and for other countries by Fedex. Consult us if you prefer another method of shipping. For most destinations tracking is available.