Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400 vs 15500

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400 vs 15500 story begins with a unique history. The name “Royal Oak” was inspired by the tree that saved Charles II of England. He hid in it to escape the Roundheads, following the Battle of Worcester in 1651. This story inspired a public holiday Royal Oak Day which is observed each year on May 29th.

The Royal Oak also has its history remembered in the British Royal Navy. At least 4 British Royal Navy battleships had the Royal Oak name. Gérald Genta designed the first Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in 1971 and released it at Baselworld in 1972. He modeled the timepiece after the shape of the front of the diver’s helmet from early Royal Navy divers.

The release price of the steel timepiece set a standard that took the world by surprise. It created a new market for luxury sports watches that didn’t exist before. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400 and 15500 are descendants of this early reference 5402ST released in 1972.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400 vs 15500

In 2012 Audemars Piguet released the reference 15400ST. The case was increased to 41mm and the thickness was increased to 9.8mm from the original 1972 design. The AP logo was replaced at the 12 o’clock position with a double baton hour marker which makes the timepiece look more like the original Royal Oak 5402ST of 1972.

The AP Royal Oak 15400 houses the Caliber 3120 which beats at 21,600 per hour.  It contains 40 jewels and 278 individual parts. The power reserve of 60 hours is achieved with a single barrel and a modified mainspring and the gear train’s transmission ratio.

Because of the larger size of the face, the date window at 3 o’clock was moved closer to the center and a small baton hour marker is seen at the 3 o’clock position for the first time. Here is where purists and fans of the original 1972 design will criticize the 15400. Many of them feel that the date window with the baton at 3 o’clock creates an imbalance and even consider it a flaw in the near-perfect design of this timepiece.

The most recent Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15500 received a stellar update in 2019 according to these critics. The timepiece has quite a few changes from the 15400. Although the diameter is still set at 41mm, the thickness has been increased to 10.4mm – up from 9.8mm.

The new caliber 4302 was added to this watch. It is a self-winding movement that beats at 28,800 beats per hour. This new caliber increases the power reserve from 60 hours to 70 hours.

The beauty of the movement is still available to be seen by turning the timepiece over and viewing it through the sapphire crystal on the back side of the timepiece. The rotor is built out of 22k gold and several of the 32 jewels of the caliber 4302 are clearly visible. This caliber was made with 257 parts. The hands and gold applied hour-markers are filled with luminescent coating.

One of the finest aspects of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15500 and the 15400 is the Grande Tapisserie design of the dial. The dial is available in blue, gray, or black. This luxurious look and the polished steel give these sports watch an elegant appeal of a dress watch.

The most notable and heralded change is that the date window has been moved further to the right encompassing the whole of the 3 o’clock position. No longer is there a small baton at 3 o’clock. This is what purists have been hoping for since 2012.

Here are several versions of the current 15500 timepieces:
AP Royal Oak Ref #15500ST.OO.1220ST.02 – All steel version with grey dial
AP Royal Oak Ref #15500OR.OO.1220OR.01 – Black dial and 18-carat pink gold case and band.
AP Royal Oak Ref #15500OR.OO.D002CR.01 – Pink Gold case, black alligator strap
AP Royal Oak REF. #15500ST.OO.1220ST.01 – All steel case with blue dial
AP Royal Oak REF. #15500ST.OO.1220ST.03 – All steel case with black dial
AP Royal Oak REF. #15500ST.OO.1220ST.04 – All steel case with white dial
AP Royal Oak REF. #15502OR.ZZ.1222OR.01 – an 18-carat pink gold case which is entirely gem-set with 466 brilliant cut orange sapphires and 610 diamonds.

Rubber B has 2 lines of watchbands for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400 vs 15500. The difference is based on whether you have a steel band or a leather band.

For steel band owners, Rubber B has come out with the strap for Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 41mm on Metal Bracelet – Velcro® Series. This vulcanized rubber strap is engineered to fit Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 41mm (models that come originally on a gold or steel bracelet ONLY). This strap features a solid insert for Blocked Integration into the watch case.

It has an exclusive Velcro® Alfatex® fastening strip that provides a comfortable and esthetically pleasing mount to the AP watch case. The attachment loop contains a TITANIUM INSERT for optimum performance. This Vulcanized rubber strap has been Tortion-tested for extreme strength and security.
This strap comes with an optional retaining loop, although it is not necessary to use. It is hand-sewn with HYDROTURF® marine thread.

All Rubber B bands are made in Switzerland of pure vulcanized rubber. No coating, blends or bonding are used in the production.

The second band Rubber B has come out with is the one made for owners of the leather band version. The strap for Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 41mm on Alligator – Classic Series is made from vulcanized Rubber and engineered to fit Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 41mm leather strap models only.

This rubber strap is perfectly calibrated to mount the Rose Gold Royal Oak and AP Deployant buckle. It features the Rubber B patented “Blocked Integration” engineering and titanium bridge inserts provide a flawless, secure, and flush mount to the AP watch case.

It is designed to mount the customer’s factory Audemars Piguet buckle featured in the alternate view images (this strap does not come with a buckle). Rubber B offers 6 luxurious colors in this series.

Are You in Need of a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Watch? Visit Rubber B Today

Every Rubber B custom rubber watch strap is made only from 100% vulcanized rubber, and all of our products are FDA and BVGG compliant as well.

If you would like to learn more about our complete list of AP Models, shipping policies, and pricing, or have questions about our custom rubber watch straps, please visit the Rubber B website today for more information. One of our valued team members will be happy to answer your inquiry in a timely manner.

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