September 6, 1651: Charles II, future King of England, was overthrown by Cromwell's troops. He found shelter in the boughs of an oak, which was thenceforth referred to as “Royal Oak” and became a symbol of protection, security and power for England.

History of a shape

Through the years, the British navy has christened four ships with the name “HMS Royal Oak”. One of them was equipped with an oak bottom reinfoced with steel sheets and featured octagon-shaped gun ports.

History of a birth

In 1972 at the Basel Fair, Audemars Piguet, in a radical departure from the trends of the period, presented a completely new watch featuring:
· an octagonal bezel, a revolutionary shape in watch-making
· steel, which was for the first time regarded as a precious metal
· a new case design, with plugs using 8 screws
· an integrated bracelet.
While the watch-making world was skeptical, the public was enthusiastic.