When we think about the Royal Oak, we immediately are drawn to the iconic octagonal case designed by Gerald Genta, first introduced in 1972. It was revolutionary during the quartz crisis, becoming an icon for its innovative design and rich history. We're pleased to introduce you to its counterpart in rectangular form within this Ref. 6005SA. It features a large brutalist case design and an integrated bracelet all within the same language of the octagonal Royal Oak. This story of this design stems from Audemars Piguet's initial resistance to integrating a quartz model into the collection, they believed it compromised their traditional craftsmanship. The solution was to maintain a balance with "classic" collections featuring round or oval designs, while "shaped" watches were designated for quartz movements. While initially designed from the Royal Oak from the 1978-1979 and subsequent catalogs, the Ref. 6005 was never named "Royal Oak" but simply "Quartz". The watch was within the "Quartz Line" which continued until at least 1985. Thus, we can conclude the Ref. 6005 is not a Royal Oak but "close relatives," as described by the designer, Jacqueline Dimier.
