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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Self-winding wristwatch with date

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo "A Series" No. A88

Partially verified

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo, identified as serial number A88, is a self-winding stainless steel wristwatch produced in 1972. The watch measures 39 mm by 48 mm with a thickness of 7 mm. It houses the rhodium-plated caliber 2121 movement, which includes 36 jewels and a 21K gold rotor. The anthracite dial displays a tapisserie pattern with applied luminous steel baton indexes and hands. The case construction includes a water-resistant two-body design with an octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal nuts and screws on the case back. The watch is accompanied by an Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin and is noted for its early production serial number.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo No. A88 with its associated documentation, showing the dial, case back, and bracelet clasp.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo No. A88 with its associated documentation, showing the dial, case back, and bracelet clasp. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · Self-winding wristwatch with date
Maker / attribution
Audemars Piguet
Reference
5402ST
Catalogue / lot identifier
402
Source-reported date
1972
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
A88

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Bracelet Construction

The watch is housed in a two-body stainless steel case featuring a polished and brushed finish. The design is defined by an octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal nuts that are embanked in screws located on the case back. The case dimensions are 39 mm by 48 mm with a thickness of 7 mm, and it is fitted with a sapphire crystal.

The integrated stainless steel bracelet was produced by Gay Freres. It connects to the case via angled lugs secured by four screws. The bracelet includes a deployant clasp and is noted in the source documentation to be dated to January 1972.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Two-body, polished and brushed, octagonal bezel set with 8 hexagonal nuts embanked in 8 screws on the case back”
  • “stainless steel Audemars Piguet/ Gay Freres bracelet with deployant clasp”
  • “Gay Freres bracelet dated 1.72”

Dial and Movement

The anthracite dial features the distinctive tapisserie decoration pattern. It is appointed with applied luminous steel baton indexes and matching luminous steel baton hands. A date aperture is positioned on the dial, and an applied Audemars Piguet logo is present at the 6 o'clock position. The dial perimeter features white minute divisions.

Powering the watch is the self-winding caliber 2121 movement. This rhodium-plated caliber is finished with fausses cotes decoration and incorporates 36 jewels. Technical components include a straight-line lever escapement, a shock-absorber, and a self-compensating flat balance spring. The movement utilizes a Gyromax balance adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism, and 5 positions, alongside a 21K gold rotor.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. Cal. 2121, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 36 jewels, straight line lever escapement”
  • “21K gold rotor”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch is identified as the 'A series' Royal Oak No. A88, which the source describes as the earliest serial number offered at auction. The object is accompanied by an original Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin.

The auction description provides a grading for the condition of the watch, noting the case as good, the movement as very good, and the dial as very good. The hands are specifically noted as patinated.

Evidence for this section
  • “This Royal Oak A series is the earliest serial number ever to be offered at auction.”
  • “Accompanied by an Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin.”
  • “Grading System Grade: Case: 3 Good Movement: 2 Very good Dial: 2-10-01 Very good Patinated HANDS”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival data links serial number A88 to the 1972 production timeline?
  • Are there documented variations in the Gay Freres bracelet clasp stamps for 1972 A-series production?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo "A Series" No. A88
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ManufacturerAudemars Piguet“Audemars Piguet”
ModelRoyal Oak Jumbo“Royal Oak Jumbo”
Reference5402ST“Ref. 5402ST”
Case Number67088“case No. 67088”
Movement Number127085“movement No. 127085”
Year of Manufacture1972“Made in 1972”
BraceletAudemars Piguet/ Gay Freres“stainless steel Audemars Piguet/ Gay Freres bracelet with deployant clasp”
Movement Caliber2121“Cal. 2121”

Visible details

  • Anthracite dial with tapisserie pattern
  • Integrated bracelet with Gay Freres marking
  • Case back engraved with 'Royal Oak' and 'No A 88'
  • Luminous baton indexes and hands

Research qualifications

  • The source refers to the watch as 'water-resistant' without providing current test results
  • The hands are described as 'Patinated'

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK JUMBO "A SERIES", NO. 88 Audemars Piguet, 'Royal Oak Jumbo, Automatic', No. A88, movement No. 127085, case No. 67088, Ref. 5402ST. Made in 1972. Very fine and rare, octagonal, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with date and a stainless steel Audemars Piguet/ Gay Freres bracelet with deployant clasp. Accompanied by an Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 72ac143828

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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