Audemars Piguet, founded in Le Brassus in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, remains the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families. The Royal Oak, designed by Gérald Genta in 1972, revolutionized the luxury watch industry by introducing the concept of a luxury steel sport watch.
Available below retail on the secondary market at 31% discount, this model offers exceptional value for buyers willing to purchase pre-owned. This pricing makes it one of the better value propositions in the dress/sport watch category.
The WVS Value Score of 69/100 reflects the balance between this watch's specifications, brand positioning, and market dynamics. While not the highest-scoring watch in its category, it may offer advantages in other areas such as design, availability, or raw specification value.
The estimated annual cost of ownership is $1920 per year, accounting for depreciation, servicing, and insurance. While this is higher than some alternatives, it should be weighed against the wearing pleasure and prestige the watch provides daily.
Understanding the true cost of owning a luxury watch requires looking beyond the purchase price. Our cost-of-ownership model calculates the annual net expense of keeping the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 15210OR.OO.A002CR.01 on your wrist, factoring in three key components.
First, depreciation: based on historical pricing data for this reference and similar Audemars Piguet models, we estimate annual value change at 6%. This depreciation rate is typical for this price segment and brand positioning. Second, servicing: Audemars Piguet recommends periodic maintenance to ensure accuracy and water resistance. We amortize the estimated service cost across the recommended interval, arriving at $120 per year. Third, insurance: at approximately 1.5% of market value, annual insurance costs $360 to protect against theft, loss, or accidental damage.
Combining these factors yields a net annual cost of $1920. That's roughly $5.26 per day — comparable to a daily lunch expense.
Estimated market price trend based on aggregated public listing data. Prices reflect average asking prices for complete sets in excellent condition. Updated monthly.
Our proprietary score rates every luxury watch on a 0-100 scale across five dimensions. Scores above 85 indicate exceptional value retention and market positioning. The formula is transparent and weight-based.
When considering the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 15210OR.OO.A002CR.01, it helps to understand how it compares to alternatives in the dress/sport watch category. The most affordable alternative is the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra at $4,600 — saving you approximately 81% compared to the 15210OR.OO.A002CR.01. However, the 15210OR.OO.A002CR.01 justifies its premium through stronger brand recognition and resale performance. The highest-scoring alternative is the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra with a Value Score of 74/100, slightly above the 15210OR.OO.A002CR.01's 69/100. The comparison table below provides a detailed side-by-side analysis of all key metrics.
| Watch | Market Price | Size | WR | Own/Yr | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 15210OR.OO.A002CR.01 | $20,000–$28,000 | 41mm | 30m | $1920/yr | 69 |
| Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 220.10.41.21.03.004 | $4,000–$5,400 | 41mm | 150m | $433/yr | 74 |
| Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 220.10.41.21.01.001 | $4,000–$5,200 | 41mm | 150m | $425/yr | 73 |
| Hublot Classic Fusion 542.NX.1171.RX | $4,500–$6,500 | 42mm | 50m | $493/yr | 64 |
Audemars Piguet has shifted to a direct-to-consumer model, reducing authorized dealers significantly. New Royal Oak models are extremely scarce at retail. AP Houses (brand-owned boutiques) are the primary sales channel, and establishing a relationship is essential for accessing popular models.
AP manufactures all movements in-house, with the majority assembled in their historic Le Brassus facility. The brand's movements feature hand-finished components visible through exhibition case backs, with techniques including Côtes de Genève, perlage, and hand-beveled bridges.
AP recommends servicing every 5-8 years with costs ranging from $1,200-$2,500 for standard Royal Oak models. Complicated pieces command higher service fees. AP's service center network is smaller than Rolex or Omega, potentially resulting in longer turnaround times.
The Royal Oak line holds value exceptionally well, with steel models often trading above retail. The Royal Oak Offshore and Code 11.59 see more variability, with some configurations trading below retail on the secondary market.
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| Ref | Variant | Retail | Score | Own/Yr | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15210OR.OO.A002CR.01 | Rose Gold/White ◂ | $34,900 | 69 | $1920/yr | $20,000–$28,000 |
Value Score 69/100 · $1920/year to own · 94% retention