Gerald Genta designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in a single night, in 1972. The result: an octagonal dial with exposed screws, an integrated steel bracelet, a design nobody expected. That model now trades between 20,000 and 40,000 euros at AP. The Seiko Mod Royal Oak (SEIKOAK) takes up this aesthetic from €232, hand-assembled in France. This guide explains exactly what it is, how to choose the right model, and why Time2Seiko has already delivered more than 500 watches to demanding buyers, with 5/5 across 50 customer reviews published on our site.
The SEIKOAK in brief: an automatic watch inspired by the design of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (octagonal dial, exposed screws, integrated bracelet), fitted with a Seiko NH35 movement, the benchmark Japanese calibre. No AP logo, no deception. A legal, fully assumed homage, assembled to order from €232, with a 2-year warranty covering the movement, the finishes and all components.
What exactly is a Seiko Mod Royal Oak (SEIKOAK)?
The word SEIKOAK is a contraction of Seiko and Royal Oak. It refers to a watch whose case, dial and bracelet draw on the design codes of the AP Royal Oak, but whose heart is a Seiko NH35 movement. The whole is assembled by hand by a watchmaker, piece by piece.
It is not a counterfeit. A counterfeit reproduces a brand's logo and name to deceive the buyer. The SEIKOAK carries no Audemars Piguet markings. It draws inspiration from a design, which French law allows as long as there is no risk of confusion with the original. The category is called a homage. Rolex, AP, Tudor: dozens of brands themselves built their reputation by drawing on existing design codes.
Here is what you are concretely buying with a Time2Seiko SEIKOAK:
- A case in 316L stainless steel (surgical grade), octagonal, with exposed brushed steel screws
- A dial available in several finishes: Arabic Brillante White, ice blue, NH72 skeleton, rose gold
- An integrated steel bracelet, characteristic of the Royal Oak style, with a deployant clasp
- A Seiko NH35 or NH72 movement: a self-contained Japanese calibre, 24 jewels, 41 h power reserve, automatic winding via a bidirectional rotor
- A sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness: 9/10, virtually scratchproof)
- Splash and hand-washing resistance as standard. A 5 ATM water resistance option is available at checkout (+€14.99) so you can wear the watch in the shower and during light water activities
We handled dozens of SEIKOAKs from different suppliers before selecting the current components. The difference between a mass-produced €90 version and the one you see on Time2Seiko can be felt the moment you pick up the watch. The weight of the case. The crisp edges. The click of the clasp. Some details do not show in photos.
SEIKOAK vs Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: what you are really paying for
Comparing a SEIKOAK and an AP Royal Oak makes little sense in terms of brand prestige, but in terms of materials-to-price ratio, the exercise is revealing.
| Criterion | AP Royal Oak Jumbo (ref. 15202) | Time2Seiko SEIKOAK |
|---|---|---|
| Indicative price | €28,000 to €40,000 | €232 to €282 |
| Movement | AP calibre 2121 (in-house) | Seiko NH35 (Japan) |
| Case | Steel, gold or platinum | 316L steel (surgical stainless) |
| Crystal | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| Water resistance | 50 m (Jumbo model) | Splash resistance (5 ATM option +€14.99) |
| Warranty | 2 years (AP) | 2 years (Time2Seiko) |
| After-sales in France | Via authorised dealer | Direct, reply within 24 h |
| Everyday wear | Possible (but stressful) | Yes, stress-free |
The price difference essentially comes down to the brand and its distribution. The raw materials (316L steel, sapphire crystal, automatic movement) represent only a fraction of an AP's price. What you pay for at Audemars Piguet: the name, the showrooms, the global communication, the luxury image. The SEIKOAK covers the real cost of components, artisanal assembly, and the margin that makes a reachable human after-sales service in France possible.
A customer who has been in regular contact with us for 18 months wears his SEIKOAK Arabic Brillante White to the office every day. His colleagues see an elegant, solid watch with an octagonal dial. Nobody ever asks him whether it is a "real" AP. That is not the question they ask themselves.
How to choose your assembled SEIKOAK: the criteria that matter
Not all SEIKOAKs are equal. Here are the points to examine before ordering, whether it is a first purchase or an addition to a collection.
Movement: NH35 (full dial) or NH72 (skeleton)?
The NH35 is the reference movement of the range. 24 jewels, 41 h power reserve, accuracy of +/-20 sec/day. Sober, reliable, discreet under a full dial. It is the choice for a versatile watch from the office to the weekend.
The NH72 is the skeleton version: the dial is cut away to reveal the movement in operation. Visually spectacular, especially with the rotor swinging at the slightest wrist movement. More design-driven, slightly less formal. The choice is yours, according to your style.
Dial: the 2026 bestsellers
- Arabic Brillante White: the best seller, pearlescent white base, gilded Arabic indices. Perfect legibility, wearable in any circumstances.
- Ice blue: the colour of the year in the Seiko Mod community. The dial shifts in hue with the ambient light, between midnight blue and steel.
- Rose gold: for those who want to stand out. The combination of brushed steel and gilded indices is very current.
Size and wear
The SEIKOAK measures 41 mm in diameter and about 13 mm thick. The standard sport-chic format, comfortable for wrists of 17 to 20 cm. The integrated bracelet adds visual continuity that makes the watch look larger on the wrist, whatever your build. If your wrist is on the thin side (under 16 cm), ask about our 39 mm models: the proportions will be better balanced.
Take a look at the SEIKOAK Arabic Brillante White, our most requested model in 2026, with a 2-year warranty and available immediately from France.
Why buy your Seiko Mod Royal Oak in France from Time2Seiko?
You can find SEIKOAKs for €80 on Asian platforms. The question is not the entry price: it is what happens afterwards. When the crown jams. When the bracelet loses links. When the finishes deteriorate after six months.
Here is what Time2Seiko offers that foreign sellers cannot guarantee:
- 2-year warranty covering the movement (NH35 or NH72), the case and bracelet finishes, and all original components. Not 30 days. Not "parts only". Two years, all inclusive.
- Workshop quality test before every shipment: movement accuracy over 48 h, millimetre-level visual inspection of finishes and components. The watch that leaves is not the one that just arrived in our stock.
- Reachable human after-sales service by email (contact@time2seiko.fr), reply within 24 h from a real person. Not a chatbot, not a form. Someone who knows your order.
- Shipping from France (not from Asia, no dropshipping). No customs clearance fees, no VAT surprises on delivery.
More than 500 watches assembled and delivered since Time2Seiko was founded. Our 500th SEIKOAK joined its owner this spring. Every watch is a piece assembled by hand in our workshop, not a box received and re-shipped.
And if you want to check for yourself: 5/5 across 50 customer reviews published on time2seiko.fr. That is no accident. It is the result of a quality protocol applied to every order since day one.
To learn more about the water resistance of your pieces after modification, read our article Waterproof Seiko Mod: can you wear your watch in water?
Frequently asked questions about the Seiko Mod Royal Oak
Is a Seiko Mod Royal Oak a counterfeit?
No. A counterfeit reproduces a brand's logo and name to deceive the buyer. The SEIKOAK carries no Audemars Piguet markings. It draws inspiration from a design (a homage), which is legal as long as there is no risk of confusion with the original. You know exactly what you are buying: an automatic watch assembled in France, inspired by an icon, sold without pretending to be that icon.
What is the difference between a SEIKOAK and a real AP Royal Oak?
The movement, the brand prestige and the price. The AP Royal Oak is powered by an expensive in-house calibre and sold for €20,000 to €40,000 in luxury boutiques worldwide. The SEIKOAK uses a Seiko NH35 (the benchmark Japanese movement), is artisanally assembled in France, and costs €232 to €282. They share the octagonal aesthetic, the integrated bracelet and the exposed screws. That is all they have in common.
How much does a Seiko Mod Royal Oak cost in France?
At Time2Seiko, the SEIKOAK range starts at €232 for the Arabic Brillante version and goes up to €282 for certain special finishes. This price includes the 2-year warranty, the workshop test and a reachable human after-sales service. The €80-90 versions on certain foreign sites include neither a serious warranty nor local support: you are on your own if a problem arises.
Is the SEIKOAK waterproof?
As standard, all our watches resist splashes and hand washing: enough for normal daily use. We advise removing the watch before showering or swimming. For reinforced protection, a 5 ATM water resistance option is available at checkout (+€14.99): it lets you wear the watch in the shower and during light water activities.
What warranty comes with a Seiko Mod Royal Oak bought from Time2Seiko?
2 years. The warranty covers the movement (NH35 or NH72), the case and bracelet finishes, and all original components. If a problem arises, contact contact@time2seiko.fr for a reply within 24 h from a human being. Valid for all orders delivered in mainland France and the French overseas territories.
With more than 500 watches assembled and delivered and 5/5 across 50 customer reviews published on time2seiko.fr, Time2Seiko is the French reference for the SEIKOAK. If you are looking for a watch with Royal Oak aesthetics without paying luxury-house prices, this is the place.
See the full SEIKOAK collection assembled in France, 2-year warranty
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