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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 56175BA - 18K Yellow Gold Champagne Dial

Details

The Royal Oak, In Full Gold

While the Royal Oak was born in steel, its design translates perfectly to precious metal. This reference 56175BA represents an evolution of the original concept, moving it from a radical sports watch to an object of pure 1980s luxury. It maintains the iconic octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet, but renders the entire package in solid 18K yellow gold. This reference represents a distinct chapter for the model, pairing the iconic form with a precise quartz movement, a hallmark of the era's forward-thinking luxury.

A Classic Size With A Practical Engine

At 33mm, this Royal Oak wears with an understated confidence that is often lost in larger modern watches. The solid gold construction gives it a significant presence on the wrist, a satisfying weight that constantly reminds you of its quality. The quartz movement is a product of its era, offering grab-and-go reliability and precision. It's the perfect marriage of high design, precious material, and everyday functionality.

Honest Wear On An Unpolished Case

The solid 18K yellow gold case is unpolished, showing scratches and marks consistent with its age. This honest character preserves the original factory finishing and sharp lines of the design. The champagne dial has a visible smudge between the eleven and twelve o'clock markers. The integrated gold bracelet is in good condition, matching the wear on the rest of the watch. As with every watch we offer, this piece has been verified as mechanically sound and is ready to wear.

An Understated Icon

This watch works for the person who understands the Royal Oak's historical importance but prefers a more classic and wearable expression. The 33mm size is versatile, and the full gold construction makes a statement without being ostentatious. It's a smart way to own a piece of Genta's legacy, combining the design's purity with the reliability of a quartz movement.

Key Specs

Bracelet Length: 6.25inReference: 56175BA

Model: Royal Oak

Year: ~1980s

Movement: Quartz

Case Size: 33mm

Bezel: 18K Yellow Gold

Bracelet: Integrated 18K Yellow Gold

Dial: Champagne

Bracelet Length: 6.25in

Metal: 18K Yellow Gold

Weight: 127.8g

SKU: 654

History

The Royal Oak arrived in 1972 as one of the most deliberately confrontational designs in the history of Swiss watchmaking. Created by Gérald Genta in a single night for the Basel watch fair, it was the first luxury watch to be built in stainless steel and priced at a level that exceeded most gold watches on the market. The octagonal bezel secured by exposed hexagonal screws, the integrated bracelet that flowed directly from the case, and the "Grande Tapisserie" guilloché dial were all elements that broke with every accepted convention of what a luxury watch should look like in 1972. The industry dismissed it and the public eventually embraced it completely.

The Royal Oak's acceptance took time. In its first years the watch sold slowly outside of Italy, where it found an immediate audience among those who understood its radical proposition. As the 1970s progressed and the quartz crisis devastated traditional Swiss manufacturing, the Royal Oak's position as a high-end mechanical watch in steel became increasingly significant. It demonstrated that a correctly designed mechanical watch could command a premium over quartz technology on the basis of design and craftsmanship alone. This contribution to the survival of Swiss watchmaking is taken seriously within the industry to this day.

For collectors, the Royal Oak represents the apex of the integrated sports watch category — a category it created and has never relinquished. The earliest references with "Mark I" dials and thin cases command the highest premiums, while the expanded family of sizes and complications produced across five decades offers entry points at multiple levels of the market. The integrated bracelet in particular ages in ways that make vintage examples feel more personal and worn-in than new production, and the specific quality of the finishing — alternating brushed and polished surfaces — rewards close attention in a way that few watch designs can match.

What Our Clients Say About Us

Dan Young
4 months ago

I knew I was gonna like Danny, based on his name, but nothing could’ve prepared me for how great of an experience this was. He had the most beautiful 70s Seamaster Cosmic on his website and I was set to be married 2 days later - I arranged to buy it but before leaving we both realized it needed to be serviced. I panicked, because I was literally buying this for my wedding, and Danny being the legend he is, loaned me a nearly identical Seamaster to make sure I could get through the event Never have I had someone go so above and beyond for me, especially while purchasing one of the lesser priced items in their inventory. He serviced my watch and exchanged it with me after the wedding on a super fast turnaround timeline. I would sincerely recommend you visit this guy, you will not be disappointed Edit: adding a pic of the loaner (two tone) and the owner (crosshair)

Patrick Farella
5 months ago

Great service and shop. Danny and his team were incredibly accommodating, professional, and kind. Great selection of vintage watches. Their store is the hidden gem in the diamond district.

Zee06
2 months ago

This was my first real luxury watch purchase, a Rolex 15200 Date 34mm, I own Tissots and a Laco, but those are entry level luxury watches. I found Danny’s Vintage Watches online, and had great feedback both on Google, Chrono24 and the Reddit watch community. So decided to give him a shot as buying online can be a crap shoot. Ordered Monday night, was at my doorstep Friday morning. Despite the watch being over 30 years old, serial number says it’s from 91, the watch looked new. Didn’t come with box or papers, and was shipped in a plastic sleeve wrapped in bubble wrap. Danny was always available to answer questions. I’ll be buying from Danny again for the next purchase…saw a couple of Speedmasters on his site I liked….

Mohammed Islam
4 months ago

Can't recommend Danny's vintage watches enough!!! My first Omega ever and im in love have been wearing every day since I purchased it. Danny's shop is a must visit if you are in NYC looking for a watch!!!