Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Audemars Piquet Royal Oak Day date "Owl " in 18 k yellow gold ref 5572BA Cream dial, 1983
- Maker / attribution
- Audemars Piguet (maker)
- Date
- 1983
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- yellow gold
- Dimensions
- Case 36 mm
- Stock no.
- W-3103
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-3103)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Audemars Piquet Royal Oak Day date "Owl " in 18 k yellow gold ref 5572BA Cream dial (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-3103), this is a wristwatch by Audemars Piguet, made in Switzerland, dated 1983. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: yellow gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
We absolutely love this striking two-register Royal Oak, affectionately known as "The Owl." It truly resembles the face of a big-eyed owl on your wrist—only much cooler! This is not your standard daily Royal Oak. The 5572, later renamed 25572, was the first Royal Oak with a calendar function. Introduced in 1983, only 524 examples were produced in 18k yellow gold. These watches are very rare and not easy to find. However, when they are in sharp condition like this superb example, nothing compares to them. The 36mm yellow gold case is in exceptional condition and wears noticeably larger on the wrist than its dimensions would suggest, largely due to the iconic Royal Oak integrated bracelet, which fits wrists up to 18 cm. The early version of the cream petit tapisserie dial is simply stunning, perfectly balanced with the day (in English) on the left and the date on the right, both displayed in yellow gold-rimmed subdials. The subtle Audemars Piguet text adds a touch of elegance. The bracelet remains in excellent condition, with all links remaining securely tight. The automatic movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. We know you love when we feature rare and unique timepieces with a twist, and this Royal Oak definitely fits the bill! Specifications: - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day Date Reference 5572BA - 18 k yellow gold case in 36 mm - Serial 1xx - Dating to the 1983 - Cream petite tapisserie dial with day and date indicators and no lume & no lumed hands - Yellow gold integrated bracelet - Fully serviced by our watchmaker
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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