Royal Oak 14790ST

Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak revolutionized watchmaking, with designer Gérald Genta creating a groundbreaking steel watch that redefined industry norms. The "Jumbo" models, including the Royal Oak and Nautilus, initially struggled to gain traction, but the first 2,000 Royal Oaks sold in three years signified a major achievement. To widen their market, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe introduced mid-sized versions, with Patek's Nautilus 3800 from 1981 becoming a longstanding favorite. Audemars Piguet followed suit, perfecting the mid-sized Royal Oak with the 36mm reference 14790 in 1992. This model, celebrated for its distinct design and variety in styles, marked a significant period in luxury sports watches.

Launched in 1992, the reference 14790 saw a long production run and was available in an array of styles and materials, including bold dial colors and mixed-metal cases, until its discontinuation signaled the end of the mid-size Royal Oak era.

This specific watch is a 3rd series produced between 2000 to 2005. The 3rd series marked a significant evolution in its design, notably through its modernized dial and the introduction of vivid colors. This series, last featured in the 2005 catalogues, represents the pinnacle of the reference's development, with some pieces remaining available through retailers until as late as 2007.