Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak is essentially the most iconic octagonal-shaped built-in bracelet watch ever made.
The corporate would unlikely exist as we speak with out Gerald Genta’s masterpiece design. The oldsters in Le Brassus know this and make sure the core Royal Oak fashions are almost not possible to acquire at its unique community of company-owned shops that require an approval course of to purchase one.
This ultra-exclusive gross sales method and massive value will increase in recent times, have made it in order that even when you may get one on the market on the retail degree, the worth is exorbitant — and even larger if you happen to should resort to purchasing on the secondary market.
Twelve options to the Royal Oak
1. G-Shock 2100 Collection – one in every of G-Shock’s hottest designs, dubbed “CasiOak” by followers, as a consequence of its resemblance to the Royal Oak. The 2100 Collection can be found from $99 as much as $4,500 and carry all the sturdiness of conventional G-Shocks so you may get the same look on a price range, some fashions provide superior options like Bluetooth and photo voltaic. (Beneficial)
2. Autodromo Group B – this sub-$ $1,000 watch has a vintage-like thinness and really feel, a racing-themed dial, an angular case, and an built-in bracelet which might be interesting and price a search for these on a price range. (Beneficial)
3. Maurice Lacroix Aikon – the motion is outsourced, which retains the worth down, nevertheless, the case and bracelet are made in-house and that claims quite a bit. The general design is engaging on the wrist and whereas this gained’t be a watch you should buy and immediately resell for a revenue, just like the Royal Oak, this can be a sturdy different that appears nice on the wrist. (Beneficial)
4. IWC Ingenieur – lately relaunched within the kind initially designed by Gerald Genta and has turn out to be one in every of IWC’s hottest fashions. The dial is engaging however lacks an utilized emblem, which looks as if a useless cost-cutting measure contemplating the lofty five-figure price ticket. The motion seems to be lagging relative to the worth as properly. Nonetheless, this is without doubt one of the most consultant Royal Oak options with actual provenance. (Beneficial)
5. Vacheron Constantin Abroad – the third-generation Abroad Chronograph is without doubt one of the nicest watches within the class, with a powerful model title, and high-value retention (don’t anticipate to make a revenue by promoting one you acquire at retail). And since the three-hand fashions don’t enchantment as a lot as a three-hand Royal Oak, we recommend the chronograph model of the Abroad as an alternative, and it’ll nonetheless be inexpensive than a Royal Oak. To not point out Vacheron hand bevels the perimeters of its motion bridges with this mannequin, whereas Audemars Piguet, sadly doesn’t. (Beneficial)
6. Tissot PRX – amongst the lowest-priced choices within the Royal Oak different class, with many variations to select from, in each quartz and computerized, however don’t anticipate top-notch high quality.
7. Yema Wristmaster – a polarizing design with a reasonably excessive price ticket, although there’s an in-house motion that few rivals within the value vary provide, and it’s a micro-rotor no much less.
8. Nivada Grenchen F77 – engaging design, although there’s no in-house motion, the dial, notably the brand, could possibly be higher contemplating the worth, although the most important knock is that this mannequin doesn’t have a really built-in bracelet.
9. Christopher Ward Twelve – a lovely design and is fashionable amongst microbrand followers however the modern emblem could detract from the general look and convey consideration to the truth that the model doesn’t have an extended heritage like the opposite choices accessible.
10. Zenith Defy Skyline – a shoo-in for the usual 41 mm Royal Oak Ref. 15500, and it’s additionally geared up with an in-house motion. The value isn’t outrageous and general, it looks as if essentially the most direct copy of the Royal Oak, if that’s your aim.
11. Girard Perregaux Laureato – has a powerful model historical past, although the design isn’t immediately linked to Genta, and once you see a Laureauto in individual, you’ll discover a respectably completed in-house motion from a official manufacture, however the match and end of case and bracelet alone fail to wow the way in which an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak does.
12. Czapek Antarctiqu S – a great-looking design that doesn’t blatantly copy the Royal Oak, and the motion is engaging as properly. Nonetheless, for a similar cash, extra established manufacturers will provide higher model heritage and worth retention.
Pictures by respective manufacturers and Skilled Watches.
