Everyone in the luxury watch community knows that the legendary Royal Oak is an exceptional timepiece made by Audemars Piguet. After all, it had to be so good that it would bring the company back from the brink of bankruptcy. As great as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is, not everyone knows that there are many other Audemars Piguet watches definitely worth considering.
Today, Audemars Piguet is still an independent company, which is impressive considering how few in the luxury goods niche there are. Founded in 1875 by two best friends, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, this company would make fine watches from their home base in Switzerland. The 20th century saw the watchmaker struggle. It even had to take out a loan at one point to keep going. In 1972, the Royal Oak saved the company from a dreadful ending and led it to what it is today.
The steel watch was a huge hit, and still enjoys the height of popularity to this day. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak featured visible screws that mimicked a diving helmet, and saw its bracelet integrated with the watch head, connected in a seamless way using tapered links. Decades later, it is still iconic and highly sought-after.
However, it is not the only Audemars Piguet watch worth getting. Here are three other Audemars Piguet watches you should consider besides the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
- Royal Oak Offshore Self-Winding Chronograph
Although it has Royal Oak in its name, it is a bit different. After all, there are over 100 variations of that model, 44 of which are of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore variety. That is a dizzying amount of different ones to choose from. You could go with a pink gold Offshore that features a brown ceramic bezel, along with a camo rubber strap. Only 500 of these were made, so it is a rarity to find, but an excellent watch nonetheless.
- Code 11.59 Selfwinding
In an effort to avoid being a one-hit-wonder with the Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet ventured out a little more boldly in 2019 to create a brand new model. While the watch looks exquisite, the Code 11.59 has received mixed reactions so far. However, it is a great entry-level luxury watch that is 41mm and self-winding. The white gold pairs very nicely with the deep blue.
- Jules Audemars Grande Complication
Grande Complication is an exceptional Audemars Piguet watch thanks to the inclusion of a calendar, minute repeater, moon phase display, and split-seconds chronograph. There is also a 648-part movement housed within the 42mm gold case. However, you won’t be able to get it at retail due to it being made to order. On the other hand, you could simply get it from a secondhand reseller.
- Conclusion
Even though Audemars Piguet is, and perhaps will always be, known for the iconic Royal Oak, it also makes a few other great alternatives. You may be surprised at how fond you are of one of the three others mentioned earlier. Wrist Aficionado has an extensive collection of Audemars Piguet watches, which means you can browse around and see which one you prefer the most.