Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 4100BA - Tropical Fume Dial

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 4100BA - Tropical Fume Dial

Name: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 4100BA - Tropical Fume Dial
Brand: Oliver & Clarke
SKU: SQ7132258
Availability: OutOfStock

Straight Facts

It’s not unfair to say that Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the most iconic watches ever made. Designed in 1972 by Gerald Genta, the Royal Oak completely changed the way that we look at a steel sports watch. For the first time, stainless steel was treated as a precious metal - receiving complex finishing techniques of brushing, polishing, and beveling - all by hand. The idea that its eight hexagonal bezel screws would be finely finished and left exposed for the wearer to see was a revolutionary thought. It’s no reason that the model became the calling card for the family owned Audemars Piguet - not to mention one of the most sought after watches in the world.

What’s better than a Royal Oak? How about a solid-gold Royal Oak?

The present example is part of the ‘mid-size’ Royal Oak collection which was introduced in the 1980s. The Mid-Size Royal Oaks Range from 35 - 37mm with this being the 36mm variety of watch. Its hallmarks are extremely crisp and strong - matching the overall condition of the case which is clearly worn while retaining excellent bevels. These watches strike the perfect balance between the size and value proposition that a Royal Oak can offer. It is also one of the rarest mid-size Royal Oak family members. The weight of the solid gold makes this wear far larger than it is while still fitting the wrist in a more comfortable way than a full size 39mm Royal Oak which can fit a little odd on some wrists due to how flat it is.

To top it all off, this dial has aged to a stunning ‘fume’ colorway - which is the exact configuration that inspired the most recent 16202BA release. The colors are the effects of ‘brassing’ to the dial paint which is revealing the darker colored brass underneath. Something highly prized by vintage watch collectors as it makes every watch truly unique.

Like we said, What’s better than a Royal Oak? A solid-gold Royal Oak. Full stop.

*Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting.

Yellow Gold 1980s Automatic Dress

About the brand

A member of the vaunted ‘Holy-Trinity’ of watchmakers, the story of Audemars Piguet dates back to 1875 whenJules Audemars and Edward Piguetfounded the company. While they were known for their highly elegant and complex watches for decades - it was the advent of the Royal Oak in 1972 that moved the brand into the heights where it currently resides. Not one to rest on its laurels, AP also has a beautiful lineup of remastered vintage pieces, and used its more avant-garde Code 11:59 case to highlight its dazzling array of dial techniques, and complex movements.

Case

36mm 18K Yellow Gold

Condition

Case Condition: Excellent Overall Condition with Strong Bevels

Dial Condition: Highly Tropical ‘Fume’ Dial

Movement

Audemars Piguet Automatic Calibre

Bracelet

Fully Integrated 18K Yellow Gold Audemars Piguet Bracelet

"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."

"The company focuses on good prices for its pieces, elite customer service and full transparency."

"The appointment-only space is inviting, with comfortable seating areas and exposed brick walls."

From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.

Oliver & Clarke