Short answer
Reference 14791 is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak automatic in the 14790 family, the 36 mm Royal Oak line that followed the original 5402. Production ran through the 1990s. Fakes exist, and most are 36 mm or 37 mm copies built on ETA 2824, Sellita SW200, or Miyota 9015 movements. None of them carry an AP calibre. Published detail on the 14791 itself is thin, so judge a watch by the caseback, the movement, and the paperwork, not by listing photos.
What the 14790 family is
The 5402 Jumbo came first, in 1972, at 39 mm. The 14790 arrived in the early 1990s at 36 mm, about 8 mm thick, with an octagonal bezel held by eight hexagonal screws and a tapisserie dial. References in the family include 14790, 14791, 14793, and 14795. Case metals were steel, yellow gold, pink gold, and two tone. The original runs an AP calibre in the 21xx series on a Jaeger-LeCoultre base. Dial colors include blue, black, white, salmon, and cream.
How the 14791 differs from the 14790 is not documented in one public source. AP catalogs from the period list the family by case metal and dial code. Confirm the exact reference with AP heritage before you pay a premium for it.
How replicas are built
Replica factories work from photos of genuine pieces, not from AP drawings. That produces small errors in the dial, the case, and the bracelet. Typical builds:
- Case: 36 mm or 37 mm, 316L or 904L steel, water resistance untested.
- Movement: ETA 2824-2, Sellita SW200, or Miyota 9015. 28,800 vph. Date at 3 o'clock.
- Crystal: sapphire with weak or no antireflective coating.
- Bracelet: solid links on better versions, folded end links on cheap ones.
- Caseback: laser engraved text. Engraving depth is shallow and the font is generic.
Checkpoints before you buy
- Dial. Genuine tapisserie squares are cut, not printed. Under 10x magnification, printed squares show rounded corners and a dot texture.
- Date window. The aperture on genuine 14790 family pieces has a bevel. Fakes use a flat cut. The date font is small and thin on genuine.
- Hands. Genuine hour and minute hands have a polished bevel and a matte top face. Fakes are uniform.
- Bezel screws. Eight slotted screws, aligned to the case, heads flush. Fake heads sit proud or use a hex socket.
- Caseback. Six digit serial, reference number, and Swiss Made at 6 o'clock. Font size and spacing match the reference.
- Movement. Ask for a photo of the rotor and balance. A 2824 has 25 jewels and no AP markings.
- Thickness. Genuine steel pieces in this family run near 8 mm. Many fakes run 10 mm or more.
- Paperwork. An AP extract from the archives, box, and service records cut risk.
Price
Auction results for steel 14790 family Royal Oaks land in the five figure USD range. Gold versions run higher. Replica versions sell for $200 to $800. A listing that offers a 14791 at $900 is not a bargain. Prices move, so check recent hammer prices on a specialist auction database before you bid.
Legal and practical risk
Counterfeit watches are illegal to import and sell in the United States under 18 U.S.C. 2320, and US Customs can seize shipments. Brand owners file civil claims against replica sellers. Service is a second problem. AP service centers will not work on a fake, and independent watchmakers do not stock parts for a case that was never in a catalog.
What this guide cannot confirm
AP does not publish a full archive online. The 14791 shows up in auction records and dealer listings with descriptions that do not always match. Confirm the reference with AP heritage or a qualified appraiser before you spend.