Openworked Audemars Piguet Watches

Buying Advice

About Openworked Audemars Piguet Watches

Openworked Audemars Piguet watches, also known as skeleton, are Royal Oak references where the dial and movement plates have been cut away to expose the mechanics inside. Audemars Piguet officially calls these watches "Openworked" rather than "Skeleton," but the two terms describe the same dial style. The flagship is the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked 15407, introduced in 2016 with the patented Caliber 3132, the first openworked wristwatch movement to feature two superimposed balance wheels on a single axis for improved chronometric stability. Openworked AP also extends to the 37mm 15467 family, the 26579 Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked, the 26619 Tourbillon Openworked, and the heavily openworked Royal Oak Concept sub-family. Our pre-owned and unworn openworked Audemars Piguet collection at WatchGuys is fully authenticated, backed by a 2-year warranty, and ships overnight nationwide.

Which Audemars Piguet Models Are Openworked?

The 41mm Royal Oak 15407 Double Balance Wheel Openworked is the most popular openworked Royal Oak, available in stainless steel (15407ST), rose gold (15407OR), yellow gold (15407BA), black ceramic (15407CE), and white ceramic (15407CB). The closely related 15412, 15416, and 15417 references continue the Double Balance Wheel platform with various material and dial executions including the 15416CD in Bleu Nuit Nuage 50 ceramic. The 37mm openworked Royal Oak family uses reference prefix 15467, with the 15468 covering Frosted Gold openworked from the Carolina Bucci collaboration and the 15469 covering gem-set openworked variants. Beyond the Selfwinding family, the 26579 Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked combines the openworked aesthetic with a full perpetual calendar complication, and the 26619 Tourbillon Openworked sits at the top of the haute horlogerie hierarchy. The Royal Oak Concept sub-family is heavily openworked across nearly every reference. For deeper editorial, see our Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Buyer's Guide.

Openworked Audemars Piguet Price

Openworked AP pricing starts well above the equivalent solid-dial reference because of the additional movement work and finishing required. Pre-owned 15407ST in steel typically trades between $130,000 and $175,000. The 15407OR in rose gold sits between $160,000 and $220,000, and 15407BA in yellow gold between $170,000 and $230,000. Black ceramic 15407CE Double Balance Wheel Openworked references trade between $130,000 and $180,000, with the rarer white ceramic 15407CB pushing $200,000 and beyond. The 15416 family in white or Bleu Nuit ceramic regularly trades above $200,000 due to extreme limited production. The 26579 Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked trades between $200,000 and $300,000 depending on material. The 26619 Tourbillon Openworked sits well above $300,000. Royal Oak Concept openworked references vary widely, from approximately $150,000 for steel to over $400,000 for tourbillons and complicated configurations. For broader collection pricing, see our Audemars Piguet watches page.

Openworked vs. Skeleton: What Is the Difference?

"Openworked" and "skeleton" describe the same dial style: a watch where the movement plates and bridges have been cut away to expose the mechanics. "Skeleton" is the traditional horology term used across the broader watch industry, while "Openworked" is the term Audemars Piguet uses in its own product naming and marketing. There is no functional or technical difference. Buyers searching for either term will find the same Royal Oak references at WatchGuys.

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Why Buy Openworked Audemars Piguet From WatchGuys

Every openworked Audemars Piguet at WatchGuys is fully authenticated, backed by a 2-year warranty, and ships overnight nationwide.

Common Questions

Openworked Audemars Piguet FAQ

• What Is an Openworked Audemars Piguet?

  An openworked Audemars Piguet is a Royal Oak where the dial and movement plates have been cut away to expose the watch mechanics. The most popular example is the Royal Oak 15407 Double Balance Wheel Openworked, powered by AP's patented Caliber 3132. Openworked APs also include the 37mm 15467 family, the 26579 Perpetual Calendar Openworked, the 26619 Tourbillon Openworked, and most Royal Oak Concept references.

• What Is the Difference Between Openworked and Skeleton?

  "Openworked" and "skeleton" describe the same dial style. Both terms refer to a watch where the movement plates and bridges have been cut away to expose the internal mechanics. "Skeleton" is the traditional horology term used across the broader industry, while "Openworked" is Audemars Piguet's preferred term in product naming and marketing. There is no functional or technical difference between the two terms.

• What Is the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel?

  The Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel is a patented Audemars Piguet movement architecture introduced in 2016 with the Caliber 3132. It uses two balance wheels superimposed on a single axis, paired with two hairsprings, to improve chronometric stability and precision. The mechanism is featured in the openworked 15407 and 15416 families and was the first of its kind in any openworked wristwatch.

• How Much Does an Openworked Audemars Piguet Cost?

  Pre-owned openworked AP pricing typically starts around $130,000 for a steel 15407ST Double Balance Wheel and runs well above $300,000 for tourbillons and limited ceramic editions. Rose gold 15407OR sits between $160,000 and $220,000, yellow gold 15407BA between $170,000 and $230,000, and black ceramic 15407CE between $130,000 and $180,000. The 26579 Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked trades between $200,000 and $300,000, with Royal Oak Concept openworked references ranging from $150,000 to over $400,000.

• Is an Openworked Audemars Piguet a Good Investment?

  Openworked Royal Oaks have shown strong long-term value retention because production volume is constrained and collector demand is consistent. The 15407ST in steel has appreciated meaningfully since the model launched in 2016, and limited ceramic editions across the 15407 and 15416 families have appreciated even faster. The 26579 Perpetual Calendar Openworked has also held value well. Condition, completeness of box and papers, and recent service history all materially affect resale value.

• Which Openworked Royal Oak Should I Buy First?

  For a first openworked AP, the 41mm 15407ST in stainless steel is the most accessible entry point and offers the patented Double Balance Wheel mechanism in the most wearable, daily-friendly material. Buyers seeking a smaller case typically choose the 37mm 15467 in steel or rose gold. Collectors prioritizing rarity and long-term appreciation often target the black ceramic 15407CE or the limited 15416 ceramic configurations. Our team can help you compare specific references against your wrist size, budget, and use case.

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