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Lot Essay
This very rare oversized Royal Oak model cased in white gold with diamond indexes was produced in the B series era in no more than 200 pieces. Unlike the most common Jumbo models cased in stainless steel or yellow gold, this example made of the most unusual metal should delight the aficionados of rare Royal Oaks.
One of the first potential buyers of the Royal Oak was the Shah of Persia Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. When the Shah saw the prototype - created in white gold for reasons of cost and convenience - he ordered his custom-made white gold watch right away. The Royal Oak was actually designed as a luxury watch in a steel case, which was very novel at the time. Audemars Piguet only began serial production of the Royal Oak in white gold in 1977 as the first example ever sold to the Shah of Iran.
One of the first potential buyers of the Royal Oak was the Shah of Persia Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. When the Shah saw the prototype - created in white gold for reasons of cost and convenience - he ordered his custom-made white gold watch right away. The Royal Oak was actually designed as a luxury watch in a steel case, which was very novel at the time. Audemars Piguet only began serial production of the Royal Oak in white gold in 1977 as the first example ever sold to the Shah of Iran.