How does Audemars Piguet Royal Oak allocation work?
Figures come from published buyer reports. Where we describe what collectors say, those are their accounts, not measured results.
Collectors often describe the steel Royal Oak as a watch dealers keep for existing clients, sometimes after buying other AP models first. The reports are more mixed: of the 17 buyers whose reports state their purchase history, 8 said they had no prior purchases and 9 described prior purchases or spend.
Of 22 buyers who got a Royal Oak in the last 12 months, 7 got it within three months, 9 waited three to twelve months, and 6 waited a year or more. 1 more is still waiting.
Typical wait among buyers who got the watch: 3-6 to 6-12 months.
"Walk-in / same day" counts any Royal Oak offered without a wait. Who this buyer was is below.
These figures come from buyers who got the watch and reported it. Dealers decide who is offered the watch at all; these figures describe the wait after that decision, not the odds of getting one. People still waiting or who gave up rarely report, so the real wait is probably longer than shown. Dealers differ too. Read this as what happened to the people who reported, not as what to expect at yours.
See the numbers as a table
| Wait | Reports | Described prior purchases | No prior purchases | Not stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-in / same day | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Under 1 month | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1-3 months | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3-6 months | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 6-12 months | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 1-2 years | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2-3 years | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3-5 years | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 5+ years | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Buying abroad
2 buyers describe buying outside their home market.
Third allocation. Code 11.59 then RO RG then this ceramic chrono. [dealer] Milan. International shopping was key.
Bought a RG 15400 in Istanbul. Much less competition overseas than in US.
What buyers said they did first.
Took me 2 years exactly. Did not maintain relation. 0 prior AP purchases.
Got the gray dial 15500 as my first piece. Neither rich or important. 6 months wait.
I am a woman and got the ice blue with diamond bezel, 37mm in two months as my first allocation. It can happen.
Singapore boutique. 15 months wait for 15605SK as first piece.
Got a gray dial 15500 as second watch after getting a blue dial offshore diver first.
I bought an AP 15720 ST / Diver on the grey market and bought a strap from AP whilst expressing my interest in a Royal Oak. Whilst the wait via this retail outlet was less than 12 months, I should add that I’d waited unsuccessfully for a direct AP purchase from other outlets for well over 2 years total
Previous purchase was an ice blue 34mm Royal Oak
Waits by Royal Oak reference
| Reference | Wait | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 15510ST | Too few to quote | 4 |
| 15500 | Too few to quote | 3 |
| Unspecified variant | Too few to quote | 2 |
| 15400 | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 15513BA | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 15550 | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 15550ST | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 15551ST | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 15605SK | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 26240 | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 26240CE | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 26240ST | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 26715OR | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 77350ST | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 77450ST | Too few to quote | 1 |
| 77451ST | Too few to quote | 1 |
1 buyer who reported a Royal Oak in the last 12 months is still waiting.
The 12-month wait figures live on Audemars Piguet Royal Oak wait times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Royal Oak allocation work?
Collectors often describe the steel Royal Oak as a watch dealers keep for existing clients, sometimes after buying other AP models first. The reports are more mixed: of the 17 buyers whose reports state their purchase history, 8 said they had no prior purchases and 9 described prior purchases or spend. Of 22 buyers who got a Royal Oak in the last 12 months, 7 got it within three months, 9 waited three to twelve months, and 6 waited a year or more. 1 more is still waiting. Typical wait among buyers who got the watch: 3-6 to 6-12 months.
Do first-time buyers get a Royal Oak?
Some do. Of 17 Royal Oak reports that state purchase history, 8 came from buyers who said they had no prior purchases. From reports since October 2025.
Can you walk in and buy a Royal Oak?
Rarely, in these reports. 1 of 22 reports was walk-in or same day: a rose gold 15400 bought in Istanbul.
How long is the Royal Oak wait for buyers who got one?
Typical wait among buyers who got the watch: 3-6 to 6-12 months, from 22 reports in the last 12 months. From buyers who got the watch. Dealers choose who is offered one, and people still waiting rarely report, so real waits are likely longer.