This Royal Oak 15000BA brings together a rich, golden design and diamond indexes, all within a 33mm Royal Oak case. The combination of these characteristics gives this piece a distinctive vintage nostalgia, with the subtle diamond indexes acting as a welcome reminder of times gone past.

At 33mm, this Royal Oak 15000BA has been scaled down to a more accessible size, retaining all the attractive features that distinguish the Royal Oak. The piece possesses the rounded porthole shape and makes use of an understated tapisserie pattern alongside more unusual diamond indices. Though the Royal Oak was originally conceived as a luxury steel watch, its design and proportions render wonderfully when executed in yellow gold. A matching date disc complements the shade of the case and dial, giving the watch a monochromatic appearance.

The overall aesthetic of the piece is further amplified by the diamond indices. After being disregarded for some time, tastefully placed diamonds have begun to be reappreciated in the last few years. The indices are incredibly subtle, yet feel very natural, harmonising with the yellow gold case in the same way that the usual lozenge-shaped indices fit in seamlessly on the stainless-steel examples. It would be easy to imagine this watch on the wrist of an aspiring Gordon Gekko or a forward-thinking Italian gentleman, imbuing this piece with a certain vintage nostalgia and charm.

Despite measuring 33mm in diameter, the unique case construction of the Royal Oak makes the reference 15000 wear much larger on the wrist closer to a Patek Philippe Nautilus 3800 or a classic 36mm Rolex Datejust. Despite its smaller size, it also still houses a self-winding movement the calibre 2140 as opposed to a quartz movement, which you might expect in other pieces with a similar size.

This 15000BA is the epitome of casual luxury, combining practicality with provocative design. This piece is an excellent addition to the collection of anyone looking for a more modestly sized version of the Royal Oak that bears a close resemblance to its vintage predecessor.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Audemars Piguet Royal Royal Oak 15000BA will be subject to 20% VAT.

Closer look

This Audemars Piguet 15000BA is in very good overall condition. Superficial marks can be found on the bezel and mid-case, consistent with minimal wear. The brushed case and bracelet show natural signs of oxidation throughout. The tapisserie dial, diamond set indexes and gold painted date wheel are in excellent condition without signs of age. The engravings and hallmarks found on the caseback and clasp are crisp and well defined.

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.