Audemars Piguet. A rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with date and military dial, Ref. 14790ST, Royal Oak, No. 597, circa 1994.
Movement: cal. 2225, automatic, 36 jewels.
Dial: black, Arabic numerals, aperture for date, centre seconds.
Case: stainless steel, back and bezel secured by eight screws, no. D30341, stainless steel folding clasp.
Signed: case, dial, movement and clasp.
Dimensions: diameter 36mm.
£8,000-£12,000

Audemars Piguet launched their legendary Royal Oak model in 1972. They enlisted the help of the Swiss industrial designer Gerald Genta to create their first luxury steel sports watch. Its tonneau-shaped case with octagonal bezel, reminiscent of a ships porthole was completely different from the traditional round timepieces of the time.
The reference 14790 was launched in 1992. Most Royal Oak models are fitted with the distinctive ‘petite tapisserie’ dial but a limited few came with the so-called military dial. With its black background, large luminous Arabic numerals and large arrow-tipped centre seconds hand this model is reminiscent of the military watches used by the armed forces. As the desire for military watches has grown ever more popular this Royal Oak with rare dial configuration has become highly sought after by collectors.