The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo, Past to Present

Join us in this blog as we discover one of the most popular watches in history of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

The Birth of a Legend: The 1970s 

In 1970, Audemars Piguet approached Gérald Genta, a Swiss watchmaker and designer renowned for his background in watches and jewellery. Taking an unorthodox approach, Genta drew inspiration from a vintage diving helmet, which was secured to suits with screws, much like the design of the Royal Oak.

Why is it called the Royal Oak Jumbo?

When the Royal Oak was first released, it earned the nickname "Jumbo" due to its 39mm case size, which was considered large in the 1970s when the average men's watch was around 35-36mm. The Royal Oak 5402 had a case thickness of just 7.15 millimetres and featured the world's thinnest movement at the time, calibre 2121. 

The Rise of the Royal Oak Collection

Responding to significant market demand in the late 1970s, Audemars Piguet officially made the Royal Oak a collection, introducing ladies' models ranging from 20 to 29mm. In 1977, the Royal Oak 4100 was introduced, setting a new standard for men's watches in the collection with a 35mm case size.

The 1990s: The Era of Larger Watches

Fast forward to the 1990s, a period distinguished by a preference for larger items—cars, planes, and, naturally, watches followed. In 1993, Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak Offshore with a 42mm case size, creating a wave of demand for larger watches. Although Genta described the Offshore as a "whale," fans and collectors promptly nicknamed it "The Beast." Following this trend, case sizes exploded, with many other brands producing expanding there watches to 40-50mm.

As a result of this growing trend for larger watches, Audemars Piguet increased the standard case size of the Royal Oak to 41mm, a size that remains popular and in production today, for example, the 15510st. 

The 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 1992 was a significant milestone for the brand. To commemorate this, Audemars Piguet reintroduced the Royal Oak Jumbo, which strengthened the brand's roots and celebrated its iconic design. The brand released around 1,000 models of the Royal Oak Jubilee 14802 during this period, showcasing its dedication and homage to the original.  

In 1996, Audemars Piguet reintroduced the Royal Oak Jumbo with the reference 15002. However, out of the 14,000 watches sold that year, only 100 were Royal Oak Jumbos. The rarity of the watch only increased the demand among collectors. Three years later, in 1999, the reference 15002 was discontinued and replaced by the 15202 in 2000 to mark the new millennium. The Royal Oak 15202 closely resembled the original 5402, featuring an additional new silver dial configuration and an open case back that allowed a view of the calibre 2121. The 15202 was also available in pink gold, and many limited edition models were released, such as the 2015 15205 for the Hong Kong Hour Glass Boutique. The demand for the 15202 was so high that Audemars Piguet had to expand their workshops and train more watchmakers and mechanics to produce the movement.

The Legacy Continues The Royal Oak 16202 (2022)

The Royal Oak 15202 remained in production for 21 years until it was officially discontinued by the CEO at the time, François-Henry Bennahmias. This marked the introduction of the new 16202, which is still in production today. Many professionals claim that the 16202 better resembles the original 5402 when compared to the 15202. In addition, the 16202 features a new calibre 7121, which is slightly larger and was developed and produced in-house by Audemars Piguet watchmakers and engineers. This new movement offers increased precision, a longer power reserve, and a faster date setting and comes in various materials, including steel, pink gold, yellow gold, and platinum. The Royal Oak Jumbo collection continues to expand today, with many limited edition models and complications, such as the Royal Oak Jumbo Tourbillon.

Whats the difference between the Royal Oak 15202 and the 16202?

The Royal Oak 15202 and the 16202 features many design changes, however the most significant change is the updated movement. The 15202 features calibre 2121, the same movement used in the original Royal Oak (5402), whereas the 16202 features a newer calibre designed and manufactured in-house by Audemars Piguet watchmakers. 

The design changes are minor, which is why some collectors lean towards the 15202 as they seek the original 2121 movement, where as others may prefer to have the latest and greatest (16202).  

Buying, Selling and Sourcing.

At LBJ Watches London, we always stock a range of Audemars Piguet watches that are available for viewing and purchase at our showroom in Hatton Garden. In addition to our extensive stock, we also have one of the world's largest networks for sourcing Audemars Piguet watches on demand. Click here to learn more about our sourcing service.

If you're looking to sell your Audemars Piguet watch, look no further. LBJ Watches London offers same-day quotes and instant payment for your Audemars Piguet watch. Click here to learn more about our simple and user-friendly selling process.

Visit us at LBJ Watches London, where we make buying, selling, and sourcing Audemars Piguet watches a seamless and enjoyable experience.