The Unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202 Jumbo for Only Watch 2021 Goes for CHF 3.1 Million

Once again this year, the watch industry reveals its best side as more than 50 brands participate in the great Only Watch charity event. Under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and at the initiative of Luc Pettavino, this year is the 9th edition of the biennial charity auction, whose aim is to raise funds for research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A recurring participant of the event, Audemars Piguet presented a unique take on the Royal Oak 15202 Jumbo… but besides being special in materials, it’s also the last unique 15202 powered by the Calibre 2121, which will retire at the end of the year. And the room of the auction noted this… as it reached an incredible CHF 3,100,000, by far the highest price ever reached for a Royal Oak Extra-Thin Jumbo. And because it’s for a charity, we’re not going to complain.

What’s unique about this watch? The 39mm x 8.1mm case is identical to all other 15202 models, at least in shape. The materials and the way they are finished are, on the other hand, unprecedented – and not only for this model, but for AP in general. The central case and the bracelet are here made of sandblasted titanium, with the typical dark grey colour resulting from this finishing, contrasting with the polished chamfers. The true novelty is seen on the bezel and studs of the bracelet, made of Bulk Metallic Glass. A palladium-based alloy used in micro-electronics, it shares “several characteristics with other glasses, including amorphicity and high strength, making it highly resistant to wear and corrosion. Its non-crystalline nature results in a unique play of light when hand-finished“. For this watch, the unique material is hand-polished.

The dial of this Royal Oak 15202XT Jumbo Only Watch 2021 is also special. Dark grey coloured (rhodium-toned) with the classic “Petite Tapisserie” pattern, it pays tribute to the dials of the first generation of Royal Oak, the 5402 A Series.

The result is simply stunning, as the result of the auction, under the hammer of Christie’s, gives a result of 3.1 million Swiss francs.  Congratulations to the future owner, who not only bought a very special watch but also greatly participated in a great cause.

More details about the watch in our introducing article here.