It’s no exaggeration to say that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the most iconic watches ever created. Designed in 1972 by Gérald Genta, the Royal Oak fundamentally changed the perception of the steel sports watch. For the first time, stainless steel was elevated to the level of a precious metal, finished by hand with intricate brushing, polishing, and beveling techniques.

Its bold design—most notably the eight exposed hexagonal bezel screws—was revolutionary, turning functional elements into defining aesthetic features. Unsurprisingly, the Royal Oak became the signature model of Audemars Piguet and remains one of the most sought-after watches in the world.

While the original Ref. 5402 was a time-only piece, Audemars Piguet quickly expanded the collection, introducing a variety of complications and iterations within the same distinctive case design.

This brings us to the example offered here: the Royal Oak “Midsize” Ref. 56175ST. These models capture the essence of the original Ref. 5402 “Jumbo,” but in a more compact and refined 33mm case—offering a sleeker, highly wearable take on the classic design.

This particular example remains in fantastic overall condition. The case and bracelet retain strong factory finishing throughout, with only light, even wear visible across the bezel, case, and bracelet.

The white “petite tapisserie” dial is equally well preserved, featuring a clean surface. The lume filled indices have aged evenly, and the hands show a nicely matching tone. The integrated bracelet remains unmolested—always something we like to see. Powered by a quartz movement, the watch has been fully checked and fitted with a fresh battery, ready for daily wear.

We’ve always felt these ultra-thin, midsize Oaks are somewhat underappreciated. On the wrist, they wear incredibly well—balanced, comfortable, and effortlessly cool.

A sleeper in the Royal Oak world, don’t overlook this one!

Specifications:

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak reference 56175ST
33mm steel case
White petite tapisserie dial
Serial 20xx/D45xxx dating to the second half of the 1990’s
Integrated bracelet
Quartz driven movement
Fully checked and new battery fitted by our watch maker
One-year mechanical warranty
Free worldwide FedEx Priority shipping

Audemars Piguet Royal-Oak ref. 56175ST White Dial

Audemars Piguet Royal-Oak ref. 56175ST White Dial

Before/after