Let’s cut to the chase. We’re talking about the best-selling Audemars Piguet watches on Chrono24. You can guess what the top-selling model is; that’s no surprise. But can you guess the top-selling references? Since the Royal Oak has been the centerpiece of Audemars Piguet’s collection for over 50 years, the brand has reinterpreted and reinvented the watch again and again. As you scroll through, you’ll see chronographs, skeletonized dials, and other variations on the classic Royal Oak. After all, an octagon has many sides to it.
1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked 15407ST.OO.1220ST.01
If you’re going to spend all that money, you might as well get to see what you paid for, right? This “Openworked” Royal Oak has become a fan favorite, even as other skeletonized watches from other brands have faded away. A big reason is that there’s so much to look at under the hood here, with multiple metals at play, a master level of movement finishing, and, of course, the double balance wheel. It’s a richly nuanced visual experience that’s easy to get lost in. You might even forget to check the time!
2. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400ST.OO.1220ST.01
Classic, masculine, goes with everything. Those are three pretty great ways to describe the 15400ST. The 41mm case lends an impressive presence to the wrist, although at less than 10mm thick, it’s thin enough to slide underneath nearly any cuff. The black dial could even be suitable for black-tie affairs if you feel so inclined. One of the reasons the Royal Oak has been so popular for so long is that it’s perhaps the best go-anywhere-do-anything watch on the market, and this reference only drives that point home.
3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26240ST.OO.1320ST.05
Let’s get complicated. The Royal Oak can come equipped with any number of added functions, from perpetual calendars to minute repeaters to GMTs. However, the most popular Royal Oak complication is the chronograph, and the most popular Royal Oak chronograph is the 26240ST. Think of it as a sports watch with some added sportiness on top. Buyers have multiple dial colors to choose from here, but blue seems to be the color of choice. There’s a lot to love about this watch, even down to the details like the octagonal pushers. If you like the Royal Oak but want more than a standard three-hander, this is the watch for you.
4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15450ST.OO.1256ST.03
Conventional wisdom states that integrated bracelet watches like the Royal Oak wear a little larger than their diameters on paper may indicate. With that in mind, the 37mm fits more wrists than you might think. The 15450ST is on the upper end of mid-sized and offers everything you love about the Royal Oak but in a slightly more manageable package. Just as there’s no such thing as the perfect shoe size, there’s no such thing as the perfect watch size. It’s all about what suits you best, and since this watch lands firmly in the top 5 bestsellers, it’s safe to say plenty of enthusiasts agree.
5. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo “50th Anniversary” 16202ST.OO.1240ST.01
Unlike some spouses out there, Audemars Piguet never forgets an anniversary. Debuting in 2022, the “50th Anniversary” 16202ST celebrates where it all began: the revolutionary Royal Oak 5402ST from 1972. The watch was nicknamed the “Jumbo” when it was released, and at the time, a 39mm case was indeed on the larger side. The watch not only pays tribute to the Royal Oak’s original size but to the original dial as well, with printed text at 12 o’clock and the applied logo at 6 o’clock. The 39mm, blue dial ultra-thin is, for many, what a Royal Oak should be, and it rounds out this list of the top 5 best-selling references on Chrono24.
