Why are Audemars Piguet watches so expensive?
We all know how expensive Audemars Piguet watches are. So, are there any affordable options from the famous Swiss luxury watch brand?
Well, we are here to help!
Previously, we’ve already covered some of the cheapest Patek Philippe watches.
So today, it’s time for us to share with you some of the more budget friendly choices from Audemars Piguet. The cheapest AP overall is the Audemars Piguet Quartz Ref. 67650ST.
Our picks from the elite watch brand will definitely give you the most value for your money!
So if you want to know what these AP watches are, check out our detailed picks below.
Related: The Cheapest Omega Watches
What’s The Cheapest Audemars Piguet Watch?
As a member of the “Holy Trinity” of the Swiss watchmaking industry, Audemars Piguet remains one of the best fine watchmakers today, alongside Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
But that doesn’t mean that all of their complicated watches are impossible to have.
So here are six of the most affordable Audemars Piguet watches you might consider buying.
#6. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Ref. 26420SO – $40,000
- Dimensions: 43mm diameter, 14.4mm thickness
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 100m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
First on our list is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Ref. 26420S. A newly designed piece from the Royal Oak Offshore collection.
This sports watch features a stainless steel case, a glare-proof sapphire crystal, and an exhibition caseback where you can view the in-house automatic caliber specifically modified to provide precise and accurate time.
The smoke light dial with the “Mega Tapisserie” pattern adds elegance and perfectly compliments the sporty looks of this AP watch.
Of course, it also has the iconic Royal Oak octagonal bezel, now made in black ceramic, a trademark of the AP Royal Oak line.
#5. Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101 – $30,000
- Dimensions: 47mm diameter, 13mm thickness
- Case material: Rose Gold
- Water resistance: 20m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Audemars Piguet released the Millenary 4101 in 1995. Since then, it has become one of the most in-demand dress watches made by the Audemars Piguet brand.
This luxury watch was designed by Emmanuel Gueitt and inspired by the Roman Colosseum made in 72 AD.
It features an oval-shaped rose-gold case with a skeletonized dial that reveals the highly complicated in-house movement inside.
This watch also showcases two dials. The larger one with Roman numeral hour markers is for the hours and minutes, while the smaller dial is for reading the seconds.
This vintage-style timepiece is completed by pairing a stylish brown leather strap.
#4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Ref. 15720ST – $30,000
- Dimensions: 42mm diameter, 14.2mm thickness
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 300m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
If you are looking for an elegant luxury watch that you can also use for diving, then the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Ref. 15720ST is the perfect timepiece for you.
This watch inherited the classic design of the original Royal Oak, but now with a much bigger stainless steel case, black ceramic crown, and scratch-proof sapphire crystal and caseback.
It comes with a blue rubber strap bracelet with a stainless steel pin buckle, which adds a much sportier look.
This sports watch is run by a self-winding movement with functions including dive time measurement, hours, minutes, center seconds, and date.
And the best part here is the retail price of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Ref. 15720ST, which would only cost you around $30,000.
#3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding “50th Anniversary” Ref. 15550ST.OO.1356ST.04 – $25,000
- Dimensions: 37mm diameter, 9.1mm thickness
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 50m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Next on our list is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 15550ST.
This Royal Oak watch was released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic model that saved the Audemars Piguet brand from the quartz crisis in the 1970s.
It showcases a new Royal Oak design with a light blue “Grande Tappisserie” pattern on its dial and is now equipped with the new automatic caliber 5900 and the “50-years” oscillating weight in rhodium-toned rose gold.
Like the classic AP Royal Oak, this new reference has a case made in stainless steel and stainless steel bracelet.
This anniversary watch is not a limited edition timepiece. However, the “50-years” oscillating weight was only available in the models made in 2022.
How much does this Audemars Piguet watch cost?
An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding “50th Anniversary” Ref. 15550ST.OO.1356ST.04 retails for only $25,000 only.
#2. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 77350ST.OO.1261ST.01 – $25,000
- Dimensions: 34mm diameter, 8.8mm thickness
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 50m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Another Royal Oak watch, and one of the most affordable on our list, is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 77350ST.OO.1261ST.01.
Like other Royal Oaks, it features an elegant dial with a “Grande Tapisserie” pattern. It has white gold applied hour markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
It also has an integrated stainless steel bracelet paired with the AP folding clasp, a signature of the famous watch line.
This AP watch only has a 34mm case dimension, perfect for men with smaller wrists or as a woman’s watch.
#1. Audemars Piguet Quartz Ref. 67650ST.OO.1261ST – $17,000
- Dimensions: 33mm diameter, 7mm thickness
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 50m
- Movement: Quartz
- Crystal: Sapphire
Did you know that not all Royal Oak watches are powered by a self-winding movement?
Yes, some Royal Oaks are quartz models. And a perfect example of this is the Audemars Piguet Quartz Ref. 67650ST.OO.1261ST.
It has a case and bracelet made of stainless steel with an iconic octagonal shaped bezel.
Simple yet elegant, this AP Royal Oak timepiece showcases a ‘Grand Tapisserie’ pattern and offers a choice of dials for you to prefer. And like other AP watches, it has a glare-proof sapphire crystal that protects its dial.
And as we said earlier, these watches are run by quartz movements, the in-house caliber 2713, with hours, minutes, and date functions.
They are also the most affordable AP Royal Oak watches available that will cost you only $17,000.
How Much Is The Cheapest Audemars Piguet?
Based on our research, the current cheapest price for an AP watch is around $17,000, and it is the Audemars Piguet Quartz Ref. 67650ST.OO.1261ST.
Unlike other AP watches with extremely complicated complications, such as the timepieces from the Royal Oak Concept collection, Audemars Piguet watches with quartz movements offer a more affordable option.
It may not have complicated functions like perpetual calendars or a flying tourbillon, but its elegance is enough to captivate anyones attention.
Audemars Piguet Prices
Since it was established by Edward Auguste Piguet and Jules Louis Audemars in 1875, Audemars Piguet proved themselves as the house of innovation as they created the first skeleton watch and the first perpetual calendar wristwatch.
Today they are still one of the finest watchmaking brands.
In fact, Audemars Piguet watches are some of the most highly coveted timepieces today, making their prices shoot up above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
Here is an overview of different models and their equivalent prices.
| Series | Price |
| Code 11.59 | Starting at $34,300 |
| Royal Oak | Starting at $17,200 |
| Royal Oak Offshore | Starting at $29,000 |
| Royal Oak Concept | Starting at $169,000 |
Why Is Audemars Piguet So Expensive?
Quality
All AP watches are known for their outstanding durability and quality.
They are made from premium quality materials. They even hire engineers and expert watchmakers to painstakingly work on their watches to ensure the highest quality possible.
Design
Audemars Piguet’s watches are all designed to be unique and special.
Their classic designs, especially the Royal Oak watch, became a timeless symbol of both elegance and modern style.
All of their watches are carefully decorated by skilled watchmakers, resulting in a level of elegance and classiness loved by many.
Investment Grade
Owning an Audemars Piguet watch also guarantees you good fortune in the future.
Not only are expensive Audemars Piguet watches are in-demand, but they are also known to retain or even double their value in time, making these timepieces a valuable asset worth investing in.
Marketing
AP watches are well known and have brand recognition, thanks to their prominent celebrity ambassadors, who are often spotted wearing a luxury watch made by the brand.
Their watches have been worn by many prominent celebrities like Kevin Hart, Steph Curry, and Drake, which makes AP watches more coveted and highly desired in the market.
Limited Supply
Another reason why Audemars Piguet watches are expensive is the limited number of watches available in the market. The fewer watches available, the higher the price becomes.
Audemars Piguet limits itself to making a maximum of 40,000 watches a year to ensure that the timepieces that it releases can meet the highest standard of Swiss watchmaking.
How To Save Money On Audemars Piguet Watches?
Pre-Owned
If you are a new watch collector, buying in the pre-owned market is not as bad as you think.
In fact, many watch enthusiasts opt to purchase pre-owned watches due to the benefits they offer.
These include discounted prices, convenient transactions, and a wider selection of options to choose from.
Negotiate
Learning how to negotiate for the price is a great talent that watches collectors should master.
Negotiating allows customers like you to find a price range that fits well within your preferred budget.
Most watch distributors are open to negotiations, so don’t hesitate to give it a try. By negotiating, you may have a chance to achieve the best price possible for your desired timepiece.
Opt For A Leather or Rubber Strap
We all know that bracelets made from precious metals are elegant and stunning, especially on Royal Oak watches.
But if you want to save money and get a more affordable price on a watch, opting for a leather or rubber strap is not a bad option.
These straps offer a more affordable alternative without compromising on style and comfort. As a matter of fact, opting for these bands can make your watches more elegant and classy.
Where To Buy Cheapest Audemars Piguet?
Fashionphile
For more than 20 years, Fashionphile cemented its place as one of the world’s top resellers of pre-owned luxury items, including Audemars Piguet and other watches.
They are known for curating high-quality supply and providing best-in-class shopping experiences for its customers.
Jomashop
Jomashop is one of the premier online shops who are selling some of the most sought-after luxury fashion items to customers around the globe.
They are known to only sell 100% authentic new and pre-owned Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe watches.
Bob’s Watches
With more than 20 years in the business, Bob’s Watches has built a solid reputation as a reputable dealer of authentic and affordable Audemars Piguet watches.
And like the Jomashop, Bob’s Watches offers a money-back guarantee option if you’re not satisfied with their product.
Is Audemars Piguet A Good Investment?
With their exceptional craftsmanship, complex movements, and high-quality timepieces, Audemars Piguet watches are unquestionably some of the most in-demand timepieces in the watch market.
That is why owning an AP watch can be a good investment and asset due to its high market value, which often increases over time, especially in models with classic designs like the Royal Oak line.
About Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is a watchmaking brand based in the Swiss village of Le Brassus.
It was established by Jules Audemars and Edward Piguet in 1875 and is now one of the household names in the Swiss watch industry.
They are famous for their excellence in making fine watches that push the limitations of craftsmanship and innovation.
Today it is one of the remaining family-owned watchmaking brands, which helps them to preserve their unique identity despite the turbulent trade market.
Cheapest Audemars Piguet – FAQ
The most affordable AP watch is the Audemars Piguet Quartz Ref. 67650ST.OO.1261ST.
No. Audemars Piguet watches are generally more expensive than Rolex timepieces.
No. Besides its price, buying a Royal Oak watch requires you to queue on a long waiting list that may take you at least a year before you get your pre-ordered timepiece.
Cheapest Audemars Piguet – Conclusion
And that is it!
Those are 6 of the most affordable watches from Audemars Piguet. The most cheapest AP overall is the Audemars Piguet Quartz Ref. 67650ST.
We hope that this guide can help you find the perfect and most attainable luxury watch for your wrist.
And to sum up the list, here is a recap of the 6 cheapest Audemars Piguet watches:
#1. Audemars Piguet Quartz Ref. 67650ST.OO.1261ST
#2. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 77350ST.OO.1261ST.01
#3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding “50th Anniversary” Ref. 15550ST.OO.1356ST.04
#4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Ref. 15720ST
#5. Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101
#6. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Ref. 26420SO
Now that you know about the most affordable timepieces from AP watches, you can also check out our article on why Audemars Piguet watches are special.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to leave us a message below.
