THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: AUDEMARS PIGUET
MODEL: 14894BA
YEAR: c1985
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 31MM
CASE MATERIAL: 18K WHITE GOLD
BRACELET MATERIAL: LEATHER
MOVEMENT: QUARTZ

While the Royal Oak is undoubtedly one of the most iconic watches of all time — and arguably saved Audemars Piguet, shaping the brand after Gérald Genta's legendary design in 1972 — the manufacture had already produced an incredible range of watches both before and after the Royal Oak's debut.

Fast forward to today, and the Royal Oak continues to dominate the brand's image and demand. But as a result, some truly fantastic 20th-century APs with exceptional craftsmanship fly under the radar and still offer remarkable value.

Continuing that theme, the present example dates to the 1980s, and is a wonderful product of its time. The 1970s–80s were an incredibly difficult time for the Swiss watchmaking industry. The controlled vibration of quartz in a wristwatch made the practical functionality of a mechanical movement nearly obsolete overnight. As a result, even the biggest brands scrambled to "adapt" to this new technology (well, some brands didn't even have a chance to before going extinct).

Thankfully, AP just about made it through — and a few decades later, it's fascinating to study and collect quartz APs from this era.

This example features a 31mm 18k white gold stepped case with a beautiful grey dial. Thankfully, the two-hand design means we do not have to witness the ticking of a second hand on a quartz watch. The watch was rarely worn during its lifetime and is unpolished. The hallmarks on the caseback are as sharp as day one, with the original leather strap and 18k buckle both intact.

A new battery has been fitted, and if Jake doesn't buy this for himself, I'm sure this watch will make the next owner very happy.