Designed by Gerald Genta, possibly the most famous watch designer of all time, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak has understandably become one of the most recognisable watches in the industry. The design first made its debut during the early 1970’s when the Swiss watchmaker found their mechanical timepieces under threat of the quartz revolution.
Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin. Credit: Audemars Piguet.
So, Audemars Piguet tasked the talented watch designer Gerald Genta to create a stainless steel sports watch that would save the company’s future. And so, he did. In just a day and a half, Genta came up with a technical drawing inspired by a hard-hat diver he had seen exploring Lake Geneva. It showcased a unique barrel-shaped stainless steel case, octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws around its circumference and an integrated metal bracelet. Because of its nautical influences, the watch was named the Royal Oak.
Despite initial scepticism from an industry too used to classic round watches, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak gained widespread acclaim and today is something of a status symbol among collectors and enthusiasts. But with demand comes higher prices and with even second-hand Royal Oak watches equalling the amount of several brand new cars, it leaves many of us lovers of the integrated sports watch with bare wrists.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Self Winding Chronograph. Credit: Audemars Piguet.
But not to worry; it seems the Royal Oak has inspired a whole generation of stainless steel sports watches and in turn, we’re happy to announce there are plenty of affordable alternatives to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak out there.
Here are our top five…
Christopher Ward The Twelve
Christopher Ward The Twelve 36. Credit: WatchGecko.
British watchmaker Christopher Ward has well and truly nailed the concept of an affordable integrated sports watch with The Twelve collection. The line-up of 40mm and 36mm watches is named as such for its dodecagonal bezel which sits on top cases of stainless steel or titanium. As is the case with CW, finishing is exceptional with cases offering brushed and polished surfaces that reflect the light beautifully. Equally, the dial plays with reflections using its unique three-dimensional pyramid pattern arriving in colours of blue, green, white and purple. The Christopher Ward The Twelve watches retail from £850, which is surprisingly reasonable considering they house Swiss automatic movements.
Herbelin Cap Camarat
We couldn't make this list without mentioning the impressively affordable Herbelin Cap Camarat. It’s clear here the Royal Oak has influenced some of the Cap Camarat’s design; it has a very similar tonneau-shaped case and statement screws placed around the bezel. It has its own clear DNA, however, shown through the integrated bracelet which utilises a middle link with a unique score down the middle. It also has a Swiss automatic movement, a sapphire crystal case back and a horizontally grooved dial. It’s a lot of watch for its price tag of £765. And even then, if you’re happy to forgo a mechanical movement, there’s several quartz variants for only £525.
Maurice Lacroix Aikon
Maurice Lacroix Aikon. Credit: Maurice Lacroix.
The Maurice Lacroix Aikon is often the one watch I recommend to someone eyeing up the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Its design is clearly influenced by the original 1970’s integrated sports watch and yet it has its own contemporary style that allows it to hold its own. For starters, the hallmark bezel has a muscular personality due to its six arms that extend out from the sapphire crystal glass. The bracelets are also perfectly integrated into the stainless steel cases, boasting up to five links for retro visuals. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to the Aikon; cases measure between 35mm and 45mm and there’s a variety of complications, movements and dial colours to enjoy. Prices start from around £700.
Yema Urban Traveller
Yema Urban Traveller. Credit: Yema.
The Yema Urban Traveller is another great affordable alternative to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. As its name suggests, it’s a modern, urban-inspired watch with a seamless integrated architecture inclusive of a 39mm wide and 11.4mm tall stainless steel octagonal case and integrated bracelet, all vertically brushed for a streamline finish. The dial mimics the tapisserie dial of the Royal Oak with its own honeycomb-engraved pattern. As if that wasn’t enough, the Yema Urban Traveller also boasts the brand’s second-generation in-house Calibre YEMA2000 with a 42-hour power reserve. All of this is available for just £700.
Baume et Mercier Riviera
Baume et Mercier Riviera. Credit: Baume et Mercier.
Like the Royal Oak, the Baume et Mercier Riviera watch first launched during the early 1970’s, inspired by the refined and elegant lifestyle of the south-east French coast of the same name. The collection made its official return just a few years ago and has since proven itself a popular model in the integrated sports watch genre. It is characterised by its twelve-sided bezel, integrated bracelet and textured dials. Available in 36mm or 42mm, the watches offer plenty of choice including quartz or automatic movements, several dial colours and complications that include chronograph, moonphase or perpetual calendar. This collection retails from £1,800.
