Audemars Piguet Steel Royal Oak Red Ferrari Dial Ref. 14790 with Certificate

Launched in 1972, the AP Royal Oak has become one of watchmakings best-known and most feverishly collected timepieces. With variants of all colors, shapes, and sizes attracting adoration and reverence, the Royal Oaks position as the watch that saved AP from the Quartz Crisis has contributed to its modern success, alongside its famously iconic design. While the Royal Oak itself is heralded in general for its impact on watchmaking, it was the mid-sized variant that gave the Royal Oak its mainstream appeal, with references like the mid-sized ref. 4100 getting the Royal Oak on wrists. Following on from the ref. 4100 and other mid-sized references, the ref. 14790 was launched in 1992 with a beautifully balanced 36mm case that features a majestically slim 7.5mm tall profile. With its signature blend of polished chamfers with brushed surfaces across its angular dive helmet-inspired case, the ref. 14790 is a familiar watch for any Royal Oak enthusiast, but the variant we have here is certainly not one we see every day. While it is sporting the Royal Oaks famous Petite Tapisserie dial with unusually short hour markers, this examples piece de resistance is its incredibly rare Ferrari red dial. While this beautifully bright red dials origin story is somewhat murky, it is thought to have been commissioned by Ferrari in the late 1990s as a limited production run, with as few as ten examples known to exist. With its bold red dial appearing almost identical to Ferraris famed shade, it certainly doesnt seem too far of a stretch. An incredibly rare and visually unique timepiece, this example is presented in excellent condition, with very few signs of wear found across its stainless steel construction. With its iconic design, bold red dial, and a mysterious story that begs for further exploration, this timepiece sits as one of the most intriguing Royal Oaks around that we are proud to have with us here at The Keystone.