The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra Thin, widely called the Jumbo, is a 39mm stainless steel watch that measures roughly 8.1mm thick. A replica version reproduces the octagonal bezel, tapisserie dial and integrated bracelet, but it uses a different movement, different materials and different finishing. In the United States, trafficking in counterfeit watches is illegal, so buying or reselling one carries real legal and financial risk.
What is the genuine Royal Oak Extra Thin?
Audemars Piguet released the original Royal Oak in 1972 as reference 5402, designed by Gerald Genta. Its nickname, Jumbo, described the large 39mm case paired with an unusually slim profile. The modern Extra-Thin Jumbo, reference 16202, arrived in 2022 for the model line's 50th anniversary and runs on the in-house calibre 7121.
The genuine watch uses a blue Petite Tapisserie dial, an integrated steel bracelet and a sapphire caseback that displays the finished movement. Thickness stays at about 8.1mm, which is the defining trait of the line. Audemars Piguet also offers Extra-Thin variants in gold and platinum.
How does a replica Royal Oak Extra Thin differ from the original?
- Movement: Replicas typically use a Miyota, Seiko or cloned Asian automatic rather than an in-house calibre.
- Thickness: Many replicas measure 9.5mm to 11mm because the copied movement is thicker than the real one.
- Finishing: Beveling, brushing, screw slots and bracelet links rarely match the hand-finishing of the original.
- Dial: The tapisserie grid, date window alignment and printing can look flat under close inspection.
- Materials: Case alloys, sapphire quality and water resistance vary widely and are often unverified.
Is it legal to buy a replica Audemars Piguet in the United States?
Selling or trafficking counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320, with penalties that include imprisonment and fines. Trademark holders can also pursue civil claims under the Lanham Act. U.S. Customs and Border Protection screens incoming shipments and can seize counterfeit merchandise at the border.
A narrow personal-use exception exists for a single item carried in luggage in some circumstances, but that exception does not cover resale or bulk orders. Buying online from overseas sellers still exposes a shopper to seizure with no refund.
What are the practical risks of buying a replica watch?
Packages can be confiscated, leaving the buyer without the item or the money. No authorized service center will repair or authenticate a counterfeit, so repairs depend on independent shops. Water resistance claims are often untested, and moisture damage is common.
Resale value is close to zero once the watch is identified as a replica. Buyers also report payment fraud, missing shipments and personal data being resold after checkout.
How can you tell a Royal Oak Extra Thin replica from a genuine watch?
Start with thickness and weight, since the real Jumbo is about 8.1mm and feels dense for its size. Look through the caseback at the movement, where genuine calibre 7121 shows Geneva stripes, polished bevels and correct engraving. Finally, verify serial numbers, box, papers and service history through an authorized dealer or a qualified watchmaker.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Extra Thin?
Extra Thin, or Extra Plat in French, refers to the slim 8.1mm case that made the 1972 Royal Oak unusual for an automatic steel sports watch.
Is a first copy watch the same as a replica?
Yes. First copy is a marketing term used for counterfeit watches, and the labels AAA, super clone and 1:1 all describe the same category of unauthorized goods.
Can a replica be serviced or resold?
Authorized service centers will not work on counterfeit watches, and any resale attempt risks trademark liability for the seller.