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Sometimes even the most strikingly similar watches can tell wildly different stories — all based on almost imperceptible differences. But how do these differences stack up in reality? Here’s what we found out about these two almost-identical Royal Oaks 
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<h3>The Devil’s In The Details</h3>

The intricacies of watch collecting can keep one engaged over a long time. Getting lost in the nitty gritties that a layperson would easily skim over is something that often distinguishes a serious collector from an enthusiast. It’s perhaps one of the most endearing attributes of collecting, won’t you agree? The ability to lose oneself to the minutiae within a watch's design as you endlessly search for the edge of a fractal – knowing you could forever study a brand or model and still not know everything it has to offer – is quite an attractive prospect, at least to me.&nbsp; 
 
Collectors can often get obsessed with tiny details and their impact on a timepiece's design, desirability and value. From small differences in font sizes, to the variations in dials – matte, glossy, tropical or more, to dots over 90s or next to 90s and from logos above 6 o'clock to logos at 12 o'clock; the list goes on and on.&nbsp;

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<img alt="Dials" data-caption="The &quot;Al Naboodah&quot; Edition Ref. 15313ST (left) uses each of the company's four colors on its hour markers from 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock Photo: Perkin Yu/ Wristcheck&amp;nbsp;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5bebbbfb-f07a-4f10-a681-ba61bbcc7491" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/194/AP%2520%2523662%2520%2523430_081.jpg" width="1568" />
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One of the watches that has featured many of these almost imperceptible details over the years is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Produced since 1972, it has no shortage of variants that enjoy plenty of these small intricacies, such as the A-Series Ref. 5402, which features a slightly different dial as compared to the various other series that followed. In the same vein, the two watches we are going to examine today are almost entirely identical, yet one is a limited edition of just 50 pieces, while the other is a production piece that certainly has more than 50 pieces in circulation – the Royal Oak "Al Naboodah" Ref. 15313ST and the Royal Oak Ref. 15300ST.&nbsp;

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<h3>The 39mm Royal Oak&nbsp;</h3>

In watchmaking, a timepiece is often best known for being offered in a certain size, even if the watch is made available in other sizes over the years or if that original size has been discontinued. The Rolex Day-Date is quite a perfect example of that, with its signature size being 36mm. The same can be said for the Royal Oak with its 39mm case. While it’s offered in far smaller and larger sizes, it’s the 39mm that collectors desire the most as they are closest to the original Ref. 5402's dimensions. Here, we have two 39mm Royal Oaks that feature stainless steel cases and silver dials. So what sets them apart, you ask? Let's explore.

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<h3>Royal Oak "Al Naboodah" Edition Ref. 15313ST</h3>

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<img alt="RO Al Naboodah" data-caption="The Royal Oak &quot;Al Naboodah&quot; Edition Ref. 15313ST is commemorative release commissioned by the Al Naboodah Company Photo: Wristcheck" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5b81c465-3a2b-41f9-86b0-274d55dc0183" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/194/11_5.png" width="1568" />
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Launched in 2008, the Royal Oak "Al Naboodah" Edition Ref. 15313ST is a very different kind of Royal Oak – an extremely rare commemorative release. Commissioned by the Al Naboodah Company, a UAE-based family-owned conglomerate founded in 1958, the "Al Naboodah" Edition Ref. 15313ST celebrates the company's 50th anniversary in a rather subtle way. 
 
Inspired by Al Naboodah's logo, the "Al Naboodah" Edition Ref. 15313ST uses each of the company's four colors on its hour markers from 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock – a subtle change from the typical white gold hour markers that normally punctuate the Royal Oak's dial.

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<img alt="casebacks" data-caption="The Ref. 15313ST has a special engraving reading &quot;Al Naboodah 50th Anniversary&quot; (right) on its caseback Photo: Perkin Yu/ Wristcheck&amp;nbsp;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9d489c8a-7d79-4e31-bc1a-c3defe1e255b" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/194/AP%2520%2523662%2520%2523430_115_0.jpg" width="1568" />
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Limited to 50 pieces, one for each year, the "Al Naboodah" Edition Ref. 15313ST is exceedingly rare and thanks to its visually unique display, is quite collectable as well. Featuring a commemorative caseback with Al Naboodah's logo at the centre of its sapphire crystal caseback and a special engraving reading "Al Naboodah 50th Anniversary," the Ref. 15313ST is perhaps the perfect Royal Oak for the discerning collector, who wants to own something unique and subtle.&nbsp;

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<h3>Royal Oak Ref. 15300ST</h3>

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<img alt="15300ST" data-caption="The Royal Oak Ref. 15300ST Photo: Wristcheck" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="39437e5c-9f54-4352-892f-4ddf5ae8ef92" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/194/15300ST.png" width="1568" />
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Launched in 2005 and produced until 2012, the Ref. 15300ST has seen a relatively long production run, and is thus quite an accessible Royal Oak variant compared to the "Al Naboodah" Edition Ref. 15313ST. Of course, it does lack the "Al Naboodah’s&nbsp;commemorative caseback, unique dial and limited production but it’s functionally the exact same watch with the same automatic cal. 3120 movement, the same 39mm stainless steel construction and the same overarching aesthetic thanks to its silver dial.&nbsp; 
 
Perfect for collectors, who want to embrace the Royal Oak's signature sizing in a modern package that’s incredibly wearable, the Ref. 15300ST is the ideal option. Thanks to its 60-hour power reserve and monochromatic aesthetic, the Ref. 15300ST we have here is quite a practical option, generally speaking, with its dial lending itself to plenty of different occasions, outfits and so on.

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<img alt="strap" data-caption="Photo: Perkin Yu/ Wristcheck&amp;nbsp;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="33197209-eb5a-4c97-98eb-3951ed773b99" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/194/AP%2520%2523662%2520%2523430_107.jpg" width="1568" />
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<h3>The Takeaway</h3>

It’s tough to choose between an incredibly rare piece and a common iteration available at a much more reasonable price. While the "Al Naboodah" Edition Ref. 15313ST is visually distinct, its differences might not be enough for some collectors to spend extra money, but for others, it’s the subtlety of its design that makes the watch so appealing – just like the co-signed dials on a Patek Philippe or the "London" dials on a Cartier – the small differentiator is what makes it special, and to be honest; I get it.&nbsp;

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<img alt="crowns" data-caption="The two 39mm Royal Oaks feature stainless steel cases and silver dials Photo: Perkin Yu/ Wristcheck&amp;nbsp;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf33ff35-d12a-49ab-a189-102505a88c29" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/194/AP%2520%2523662%2520%2523430_096.jpg" width="1568" />
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Indeed, different collectors do value different things; some want the Ref. 15300ST for its signature Royal Oak sizing, modern movement, and iconic Royal Oak construction, while others want the "Al Naboodah" Edition Ref. 15313ST for what makes it rare and unique on top of what the Ref. 15300ST offers. Either way, the watch industry will always have the wants and desires of every collector covered, and these two timepieces signify this in the most romantic way possible – through two timepieces that are separated by just the smallest of margins that go on to have a huge impact.&nbsp; 
 
Whether you prefer one to the other is not really the business of the watchmaker. Their job is to produce something worth chasing, and it’s hard to argue that Audemars Piguet have not done exactly that with these two references. Sure, the "Al Naboodah" Edition Ref. 15313ST might be a commemorative piece that wasn’t intended for the open market but here it is, and that’s what makes watch collecting so special – there are always unicorns to chase.

AP Royal Oak "Al Naboodah" Edition Ref. 15313ST vs Royal Oak 39mm Ref. 15300ST

Rooted in tradition but futuristic in its form, AP’s newest perpetual calendar packs a heavy horological punch under its royal blue bonnet
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The newest model in Audemars Piguet’s QP collection might not be the boldest watch in the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary line-up this year but it’s definitely the hottest ceramic timepiece on the market right now. While we have seen a couple of blue ceramic watches in recent years (think of the Hublot Big Bang Integrated and the Zenith Defy Classic), AP’s latest perpetual calendar stands out for its rock star vibes and some serious horological punch packed under that royal blue bonnet.

Audemars Piguet first created waves with a Royal Oak QP in all black ceramic back in 2017. Two years later, we were wowed by a white ceramic version of this perpetual calendar and this year, the third iteration, presented in a high-tech blue ceramic case and a complementing grande tapisserie blue dial, has totally hit it out of the park.

Lightweight and highly scratch-resistant, ceramic is one of the best materials for watchmaking but it’s also the hardest to work with. According to AP, it takes over 30 hours to just work on the ceramic bracelet for a Royal Oak. Now imagine the time spent on brushing and hand-polishing the 41 mm case! The entire exercise of satin-brushing and polishing the sharp bevels lends a multifaceted architecture to the octagonal case, which looks even more glamorous in ceramic.

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<img alt="AP Blue Ceramic 2" data-caption="According to Audemars Piguet, merely working on the ceramic bracelet for a Royal Oak takes more than 30 hours&amp;nbsp;Photo: Perkin Yu/ Wristcheck" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0f70aee1-7d80-4983-a5a6-48a274ab0c85" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/184/AP%2520Blue%2520Ceramic_062.jpg" width="1568" />
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<h3>A Royal Oak In Royal Blue</h3>

Powered by the self winding caliber 5134, which was also seen in the previous two Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars in ceramic, the cool blue version brings together all the hallmarks of the 50-year-old icon – right from the grande tapisserie dial to the sleek bracelet – in a fantastic expression. The electric blue hue for this watch was achieved with the help of a secret ceramic composition that included the use of powdered Zirconium Oxide mixed with &nbsp;a “binder content”. The said material goes through several stages of complex machining processes and the components achieve their final color only after they have been sintered at more than 1,400°C.

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<img alt="AP Blue Ceramic 1" data-caption="Water-resistant up to 20m, the watch&amp;nbsp;is equipped with the self-winding Caliber 5134, which delivers a power reserve of 40 hours&amp;nbsp;Photo: Perkin Yu/ Wristcheck" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8937115-bb30-4c2e-89b4-9ae63f16744a" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/184/AP%2520Blue%2520Ceramic_048.jpg" width="1568" />
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Besides the attractive new colorway, AP has ensured the watch’s complications are as captivating as its ceramic form. Nicely spread out on the matching blue dial, the three calendar subdials and moon phase present a nice aesthetic balance while offering a range of displays like hours, minutes, day, date, week, month, astronomical moon and leap year indication. The contrasting 18k white gold applied hour-markers and faceted hands are filled with a luminescent coating to help the wearer keep track of time in the dark.

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<img alt="AP Blue Ceramic 3" data-caption="The three calendar subdials and moon phase offer a range of functions like hours, minutes, day, date, week, month, astronomical moon and leap year indication Photo: Perkin Yu/ Wristcheck" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="75600428-031f-4df5-b4fe-85ad082346d1" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/184/AP%2520Blue%2520Ceramic_029.jpg" width="1568" />
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<h3>A Mastery In Calendar Watches</h3>

Audemars Piguet’s history in perpetual calendar dates back to 1875 when Jules Louis Audemars created a pocket watch with a perpetual calendar combined with a quarter repeater mechanism and an independent deadbeat second function.

In 1955, AP introduced the world’s first perpetual calendar wristwatch with leap year indication. Over the years, the brand’s quest for thin mechanical timepieces encouraged it to create&nbsp;the world’s thinnest self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch powered by the Caliber 2120.

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<img alt="AP Blue Ceramic 4" data-caption="The electric blue hue for this watch was achieved with the help of a secret ceramic composition that included the use of powdered Zirconium Oxide mixed with a “binder content”&amp;nbsp;Photo: Perkin Yu/ Wristcheck" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e679515a-2a42-4873-9f8f-abd265a6520e" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/184/AP%2520Blue%2520Ceramic_024.jpg" width="1568" />
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One of the most recent milestones in the history of perpetual calendars from Audemars Piguet came in 2018 with the introduction of 41 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin, known as RD#2. Just 6.33 thick, this watch was powered by Caliber 5133 and was introduced as the world’s thinnest automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch then.&nbsp;

Rooted in tradition but futuristic in its form, Audemars Piguet’s new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in Blue Ceramic is the perfect addition to the brand’s most famous watch made over the last five decades.

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<img alt="AP Blue Ceramic 5" data-caption="The blue ceramic bracelet features a titanium AP folding clasp&amp;nbsp;Photo: Perkin Yu/ Wristcheck" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d9f1efd-7629-47d1-be3d-9a5e172866cf" data-image-style="blog_inline_image" height="1046" src="https://wc-strapi.s3.ap-east-1.amazonaws.com/article_import/images/184/AP%2520Blue%2520Ceramic_021.jpg" width="1568" />
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<h3>Specifications&nbsp;</h3>

Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar In Blue Ceramic&nbsp;

Reference Number: 26579CS.OO.1225CS.01 
Movement: Selfwinding Caliber 5134 
Functions: Perpetual calendar with day, date, week, month, astronomical moon and leap year indications, hours and minutes 
Power Reserve: 40 hours 
Dial: Blue dial with Grande Tapisserie pattern, blue subdials and inner bezel, white gold applied hour markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating 
Case: Blue ceramic case and screw-locked crown, glareproofed sapphire crystal and titanium caseback 
Water Resistance: Up to 20m 
Bracelet: Blue ceramic bracelet with titanium AP folding clasp 
Price on request. 
 
For further information, visit <a href="https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/en/watch-collection/royal-oak/26579CS.OO.1225CS.01.html">Audemars Piguet</a>.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar In Blue Ceramic

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