The Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet is one of the watch models most coveted and sought-after by collectors all over the world. Characterized by a steel case, an octagonal bezel, the Tapisserie dial, and a steel face, it subverted aesthetic codes when it appeared in 1972. Even though its success wasn t immediate, it became an icon over the course of several seasons. The Royal Oak came about when the popularity of quartz watches seemed to be heralding the end of the mechanical watch. Audemars Piguet decided to gamble on something completely new, a sporty, elegant watch that would mark a turning point in the market and reconfirm Swiss supremacy in watchmaking. This monumental tribute features Paolo Gobbi, among others, the most important Italian watch expert and one of the most knowledgeable in the world, and Andrea Mattioli, an antiques dealer and great connoisseur of this model. Royal Oak 39 The Book explores the timeless timepiece, illustrating every facet of over a hundred rare and legendary specimens belonging to prestigious collections, photographed in detail exclusively for this exquisite monograph. It is a must-have for watch enthusiasts and, in particular, lovers of this model, characterized by its 39-millimeter dial.