This reference 15305* presents one of the most contemporary looking and striking incarnations of the iconic Royal Oak, with a modern approach to skeletonisation and versatile stainless-steel case.

The reference 15305 was first introduced in 2010, in stainless steel, featuring an open-worked version of the manufacture’s in-house calibre 3120. Audemars Piguet has a long tradition of skeletonised watches, which it has successfully integrated within the Royal Oak case on a handful of occasions, from perpetual calendars to tourbillons. The combination of their angular case, with an intricately openworked movement, highlights the manufacture’s craft and skill.

The openworked dial on this reference 15305 makes use of a technique that stretches back to the 1760s, when French watchmaker Jean-Antoine Lepine reworked the plates and bridges of a movement to make his pocket watches considerably thinner and more stylised than other makers of the period, all to showcase the beauty of the movement itself.

Rather than looking overly baroque, the reference 15303 has a distinctively modern, almost industrial look. The openworked section of the dial is alternately brushed and polished, allowing for a compelling interplay with light that falls across the surface. Meanwhile, the slate-grey, “anthracite” dial includes all the traditional indications of a time-only watch, with white-gold, applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands, with luminescent coating. A minute chapter ring runs around the outermost section of the dial and bears the “Audemars Piguet” signature.

The steel case and bracelet are excellently finished, with angular, beveled and polished edges, striking the perfect balance between utilitarian function and elegant design. The polished screws, bezel and bevels fantastically contrast with the brushed surface of the case and bracelet. At 39mm in diameter, and only 9.4mm thick, this Royal Oak ref. 15305 case is a beautiful twist of perspectives and size, further demonstrating a more industrial feel over its traditional contemporaries. The outer case back correctly displays the unique serial number, along with its sequential case number.

This Royal Oak ref. 15305 is powered by the AP calibre 3129, derived from Audemars Piguet’s in-house 3120 calibre movement. The automatic 3129 calibre features 38 working jewels, 239 individual components and ceramic ball bearings to support the full-diameter rotor, manufactured from 22-carat gold and embellished with Audemars Piguet’s monogram.

Closer look

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15305ST is in very good condition. Superficial marks can be found on the bezel, case and bracelet, more specifically light surface marks and scratches on the brushed bezel and polished facet of the bezel. The engravings on the case back are crisp and well defined.

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