1990s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quartz (Ref. 56303ST) Black Dial

The Royal Oak was designed by the legendary Gerald Genta for Audemars Piguet in 1972. That original piece, the ref. 5402 was the most expensive steel watch ever made at the time and was the brand's attempt to shake the standards by introducing a luxury watch in steel that was oversized and pushed the boundaries of the current design trends of the era. The risk obviously paid off, as the steel Royal Oak has become an icon that perfectly strikes a balance between utilitarian function and timeless design. Featuring a beautifully finished case and bracelet, with angular, beveled, and polished edges, plus a polished bezel, screws, and case edge that fantastically contrast with the brushed surface of the case and bracelet to make for one of the most intriguing watches to come out of the era.

Naturally, the Royal Oak was refined through the 20th century, and in the late 1980s, Audemars Piguet introduced a new line of mid-size Royal Oaks featuring quartz movements. These ultra-thin and remarkably wearable models technically measure in at 33mm; however, with the integrated bracelet and overall very long mid-case design, they retain the classic substantiality one would expect from a Royal Oak.