The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding reference 15551ST.ZZ.1356ST.05 is a 37mm luxury timepiece that blends the collection’s iconic industrial design with high-jewelry elements. Crafted from stainless steel, the case features a signature octagonal bezel set with 40 brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling approximately 0.92 carats. The watch is characterized by its “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” dial, which showcases the “Grande Tapisserie” pattern and is adorned with white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands, both treated with a luminescent coating for enhanced legibility. A scratch-resistant, glareproofed sapphire crystal protects the dial, while a matching sapphire caseback reveals the inner workings of the movement.
This model is powered by the self-winding Calibre 5900, a movement introduced in 2022 to replace the previous Calibre 3120. It operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a 60-hour power reserve. In terms of complications, the watch offers essential timekeeping functions including central hours, minutes, and seconds, along with a date window positioned at 3 o’clock. The movement is relatively slim at 3.9mm, allowing the watch to maintain a total case thickness of 9.1mm. The timepiece is integrated with a stainless steel bracelet featuring the AP folding clasp and is water-resistant up to 50 meters.
General reviews of the 15551ST.ZZ.1356ST.05 frequently praise its balanced proportions, noting that the 37mm size serves as a versatile mid-size option for various wrist types. Collectors often highlight the high-quality finishing of the Calibre 5900 and the visual impact of the diamond-set bezel against the classic blue Tapisserie dial. While the addition of diamonds is seen as a sophisticated touch that elevates the piece beyond a standard sports watch, some purists suggest it may lean more towards a jewelry aesthetic. Nevertheless, the reference is highly regarded for maintaining the core DNA of Gérald Genta’s original design while benefiting from modern mechanical improvements.