Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day Date Ref. 5572BA - 1983 with extract

Undeniably the keystone of Audemars Piguet's serially produced watches, the Royal Oak is why the landscape of the luxury sports watch market is the way it is. After Gerald Genta was brought in to assist Audemars Piguet in 1972, he famously was only given 24 hours to design 'a steel sports watch that has never been done before. Something totally new and waterproof.' The outcome was one of the most significant watches created and the catalyst that transitioned steel into the luxury sphere. During the post-1972 years, other watch brands began to follow suit and shift attention to steel, culminating in where the industry is today, with steel typically being more desirable than precious metals.

But Audemars Piguet is far more than a time-only watchmaker, and it wasn't long before the demand for a more complicated Royal Oak increased, providing the opportunity to remind the world of its technical proficiency. Encouraged by strong market demand, in 1983, the Royal Oak Day Date 5572 debuted a twin register Royal Oak encased in their newly launched 36mm case diameter from the same year. Capable of offering not just the current time but also the date and month, the success of this Royal Oak underpinned its unconventional platform. Produced in steel, yellow gold, white gold, and two-tone, the 5572 was renamed the 25572 between '84-85 and remained in the lineup until the late 1990s. The production numbers for each metal were even during its lifespan, excluding the white gold realizations, which account for less than 1%. Thanks to the 5572, another significant Royal Oak was produced featuring a moonphase, the 5594, the brand's longest standard reference.

The Watch

Nicknamed 'The Owl' due to its dual sub-registers, this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day Date 5572 dates from the first year the watch was launched in 1983. The BA at the end of its reference indicates that this piece is 18k yellow gold fitted with a matching silver-toned dial. As an early production piece, out of the 1,770 units sold during the 5572's lifespan, 524 units were the BA configuration, with just under half of the total being produced in the early years. Externally the visuals of this piece are quintessential Royal Oak. Its confidently brushed surfaces so sharp one can almost count each stroke. Clocking in at 36mm in breadth, the flawless finish flows from bezel to case and throughout the whole length of the bracelet, only pausing for embellishments of polishing on its chamfers and the eight steel bolts on its iconic bezel. A testament to the quality and design of Audemars Piguet and the impressive condition of this specific piece, its finishing complements the width, length, and remarkably slender profile.

Typically, the exterior of a Royal Oak directs the narrative, but with the 5572BA, the dial and the elevated functionality of the movement alter the focus slightly. Featuring the desirable 'Petite Tapisserie' dial base, silver in colour with an oh-so-charming slight cream hue, its appearance elegantly reflects its age. This 5572BA extends the theme of yellow gold throughout all elements, as the raised yet delicately thin baton markers are positioned around its periphery. That excludes the twelve, three, and nine positions, as the 'AP' logo and rounded dots of gold sit in their place, respectively. Svelte yellow gold pencil hands for the hours and minutes are contrasted by heated-blued hands for the day and date indicator sub-registers. Recessed into the dial creating a flat surface are the chapter rings for the day and date, featuring jet-black printing on a dazzling touch of shining gold. This additional depth, complete with the flourishes of blue, elevates the elegance and traditionality of this Royal Oak's accents subtly but impactfully. This luxe Royal Oak is a beautiful embodiment of Audemars Piguet as a prolific watchmaker with abundant neo-vintage charm merged with everyday functionality and comfortable proportions.

The Movement

Powering this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day Date Ref. 5572BA is the AP Calibre 2124/2810. This self-winding movement features a rotor with heavy segment in 21k gold, 40 hours of running autonomy, a frequency of 21,600 vph (3 Hz), 32 jewels, and of course, the functionality to display the current day and date. Complete with Geneva striping, all in a slender thickness of 4.55mm.

How It Wears

The Royal Oak Day Date is perhaps the most functional of all the Royal Oak references while still maintaining the sophistication and daring spirit of the model itself. It's uncompromising on its balanced aesthetic lacking no lustre. Measuring 36mm in width, you may be forgiven for assuming this 5572BA Royal Oak is small, dainty, and deficient in wrist presence. The reality is, in fact, quite the opposite. Of course, it does take up a smaller amount of wrist real estate than the more prominent 'Jumbo', but it wears larger than its width suggests. The 5572BA is a mid-sized reference that would make a brilliant regular wearer for a wide range of wrist sizes in all situations, from formal board meetings to relaxing downtime. It's the Royal Oak to suit all wrist sizes and all occasions.

Condition

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day Date Ref. 5572BA dates from 1983 and is sold as a watch only along with an Audemars Piguet Extract From The Archives. It is presented in good honest condition with age-appropriate, typical signs of wear.

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. We are based in Ghent, Belgium

No stock kept on site

* Every watch is delivered in a Mr WATCHLEY Membrane Protection Box for a safe transportation in addition to its original set *