Harrods is hosting an exhibition in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak in April.
The event, titled Royal Oak: From Iconoclast to Icon takes place at the Knightsbridge department store from April 5 to 30.
The exhibition traces the history of what is widely considered Switzerland’s first luxury steel sports timekeeper, and the start of a fightback by the country’s mechanical watchmakers at a time Japanese quartz pieces were growing in dominance.
Visitors to the Harrods exhibition will be taken on a journey from Royal Oak’s genesis and development into a full-fledged collection through a display of select models from the brand’s heritage collection, starting with the original Gerald Genta-designed 5402 Model from 1972, whose hand-finished steel case and bracelet elevated this humble material to the same status as gold.
You may not be able to buy one, but the exhibition has a selection of 2022 novelties celebrating the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary that use a new Calibre 7121selfwinding movement.
The experience concludes with a number of interactive activities including an immersive screen forest and a watchmaker’s bench where guests will be able to observe the techniques that go into the creation of a Royal Oak bezel.
Everything you need to know about 50 years of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak
