Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak is the most iconic octagonal-shaped integrated bracelet watch ever made.
The company would not likely exist today without Gerald Genta’s masterpiece design. The folks in Le Brassus know this and ensure the core Royal Oak models are nearly impossible to obtain at its exclusive network of company-owned stores that require an approval process to buy one.
This ultra-exclusive sales approach and enormous price increases in recent years, have made it so that even if you can get one for sale at the retail level, the price will be exorbitant — and even higher if you must resort to buying on the secondary market.
12 Royal Oak Alternatives
1. G-Shock 2100 Series – one of G-Shock’s most popular designs, dubbed “CasiOak” by fans, due to its resemblance to the Royal Oak. The 2100 Series are available from $99 up to $4,500 and carry all the durability of traditional G-Shocks so you can get a similar look on a budget, some models offer advanced features like Bluetooth and solar. (Recommended)
2. Autodromo Group B – this sub-$ $1,000 watch has a vintage-like thinness and feel, a racing-themed dial, an angular case, and an integrated bracelet that are appealing and worth a look for those on a budget. (Recommended)
3. Maurice Lacroix Aikon – the movement is outsourced, which keeps the price down, however, the case and bracelet are made in-house and that says a lot. The overall design is attractive on the wrist and while this won’t be a watch you can buy and instantly resell for a profit, like the Royal Oak, this is a strong alternative that looks great on the wrist. (Recommended)
4. IWC Ingenieur – recently relaunched in the form originally designed by Gerald Genta and has become one of IWC’s most popular models. The dial is attractive but lacks an applied logo, which seems like a needless cost-cutting measure considering the lofty five-figure price tag. The movement appears to be lagging relative to the price as well. Nonetheless, this is one of the most representative Royal Oak alternatives with real provenance. (Recommended)
5. Vacheron Constantin Overseas – the third-generation Overseas Chronograph is one of the nicest watches in the category, with a strong brand name, and high-value retention (don’t expect to make a profit by selling one you bought at retail). And because the three-hand models don’t appeal as much as a three-hand Royal Oak, we suggest the chronograph version of the Overseas instead, and it’ll still be less expensive than a Royal Oak. Not to mention Vacheron hand bevels the edges of its movement bridges with this model, whereas Audemars Piguet, sadly does not. (Recommended)
6. Tissot PRX – amongst the lowest-priced offerings in the Royal Oak alternative category, with many variations to choose from, in both quartz and automatic, but don’t expect the same quality seen on the pricier models listed in this article.
7. Yema Wristmaster – a polarizing design with a rather high price tag, though there’s an attractive in-house movement that few competitors in the price range offer, and it’s micro-rotor equipped which is rare.
8. Nivada Grenchen F77—attractive design, though there’s no in-house movement. The logo could have been executed better considering the price. The biggest knock is that this model does not have a truly integrated bracelet.
9. Christopher Ward Twelve – an attractive design and is popular among microbrand fans but the contemporary logo may detract from the overall look and bring attention to the fact that the brand does not have a long heritage like the other options available.
10. Zenith Defy Skyline – a shoo-in for the standard 41 mm Royal Oak Ref. 15500, and it’s also equipped with an in-house movement. The price is not outrageous and overall, it seems like the most direct copy of the Royal Oak, if that’s your goal.
11. Girard Perregaux Laureato – has a strong brand history, though the design is not directly linked to Genta, and when you see a Laureauto in person, you’ll notice a respectably finished in-house movement from a legitimate manufacture, but the fit and finish of case and bracelet fail to wow the way an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak does.
12. Czapek Antarctiqu S – a great-looking design that does not blatantly copy the Royal Oak, and the movement is also attractive. However, more established brands will offer better brand heritage and value retention for the same money.
Photos by respective brands and Professional Watches.
