No documented Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept reference uses the number 24807, so a watch advertised under that code is almost always a mislabeled listing, a marketplace inventory number, or a replica. Genuine Concept references sit in the 25980 to 26589 range and pair a five-digit number with a material code, such as 26221ST, 26228OR, or 26589IO. Treat 24807 as a prompt to verify independently before any money changes hands.
What Does the Number 24807 Mean on a Royal Oak Concept?
Audemars Piguet reference numbers are five digits followed by a two-letter material suffix, and the Concept line clusters in the 25900 to 26600 block. A 24-prefix number does not map to a Concept release in AP's published collection archive. Some resale platforms attach internal SKUs such as 24807 to a listing, which is the most common source of the confusion.
Ask the seller for a photo of the caseback engraving. The true reference number is stamped into the metal there, and it will never be a marketplace SKU.
How Do You Spot a Fake Royal Oak Concept?
Concept pieces are defined by openworked architecture, exotic case materials, and hand finishing, and every one of those features is expensive to replicate well.
Case and materials
Most Concept references measure 44mm and come in sandblasted titanium, forged carbon, ceramic, or gold with a matte, micro-blasted texture. Replica cases frequently measure a millimeter or more off, feel light against the stated material, and show glossy polished edges where the genuine finish is flat. Fake ceramic bezels often carry a resin-like sheen instead of a fine blasted surface.
Dial and openworked movement
On a genuine Concept, bridges are chamfered and black-polished by hand, and screw heads are countersunk and finished. Fakes show stamped bridges with soft, unpolished edges and printed jewel settings that do not move. A genuine tourbillon cage completes one full revolution per minute, so watch the cage for a full sixty seconds rather than trusting a photo.
Caseback engravings and serial numbers
Genuine casebacks carry the reference number, a serial number, and the maker's mark cut into the metal, not printed on it. Fake engraving is often shallow, laser-etched, or set in a font with incorrect letter spacing. The serial on the caseback must also appear on the warranty card or archive extract.
Strap, clasp, and hardware
AP rubber straps are cut to the case and embossed with the reference number and brand name on the underside near the lug. Replica straps typically smell of cheap rubber, use a generic buckle, and skip those marks.
Is Screw Alignment a Good Authenticity Test for a Royal Oak Concept?
No. The bezel screws on a Royal Oak are functional, not decorative, so genuine slots rest at whatever angle the screw tightened to. Perfectly uniform slot alignment is a weak signal at best, and it proves nothing on its own.
Do Price and Paperwork Give a Fake Away?
Genuine Royal Oak Concept watches trade in the six-figure range on the secondary market, and serious listings include the box, booklets, service records, and often an AP archive extract. A Concept offered for a few hundred or a few thousand dollars is not genuine no matter which reference number is quoted. Audemars Piguet boutiques and authorized service centers can confirm a serial number and service history, and an independent inspection by a watchmaker with AP experience is the cheapest insurance available.
What Should You Ask Before Buying?
- A sharp, in-focus photo of the caseback showing reference and serial numbers.
- A warranty card or archive extract with a matching serial.
- Original box, booklets, and documented service history.
- A written return policy and a clear provenance chain.