Imagine a watch so rare that only 12 pieces in steel were ever crafted, alongside a mere 5 pieces in solid gold, as confirmed with Audemars Piguet archives.

The 1970s were turbulent as Swiss watchmaking was threatened by the rise of quartz. A storm swept through the valleys of Switzerland as two-thirds of the workforce vanished, leaving echoes of what once was. In this uncertainty, Audemars Piguet emerged as a phoenix, rising from the ashes with brilliance.

In 1972, at the grand stage of Baselworld, the legendary designer Gérald Genta unveiled a creation that would forever alter the course of horology: the Royal Oak. This was a manifesto, a declaration that luxury could be redefined, that steel could be as opulent as gold.

Unlike the other rectangular Royal Oaks, the 56049ST has a personality of its own. At first glance, the classic Genta designed steel case looks similar but then you notice a date window at three o'clock which doesn’t exist in the normal models.

Beneath lies a revolutionary quartz movement, a game-changer in the 70s, vibrating at an astonishing 32,768 Hz. In every beat, one can feel the pulse of history; a reminder of the audacity that brought it to life and of the irony that it was actually born to take on quartz.

Presented here in all original and unpolished condition with an extra long bracelet.

CONDITION: Excellent, Unpolished.
SPECIFICATIONS: Stainless Steel Royal Oak Case, Original Royal Oak Steel Bracelet and Deployant, Original Petite Tapisserie Black Dial,
Limited Edition of 12 Pieces, Very Fine and Rare.
REFERENCE: 56049ST
MOVEMENT: AP Quartz

Dimensions: 28mm x 38mm

Box, Papers, etc.: Watch Only

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