Expanding its iconic Royal Oak collection, the Swiss watch brand Audemars Piguet has introduced five new timepieces, some of which are a brand first.
Four High Jewellery Royal Oak Selfwinding in 34 and 37mm
For the first time, Audemars Piguet has created Royal Oak models fully studded with snow-set diamonds. Wanting to cater to slender wrists, these four high jewellery timepieces are released in 34mm and 37mm case sizes, each crafted in 18K white and rose gold.
34mm Ref. 77452OR.ZZ.1365OR.01
34mm Ref. 77452BC.ZZ.1365BC.01
37mm Ref. 15552OR.ZZ.1358OR.01
37mm Ref. 15552BC.ZZ.1358BC.01
Brilliant-cut diamonds of varying sizes adorn the dial, case, bezel, crown, and bracelet of the watch exuding Haute Joaillerie combined with Haute Horlogerie. Baguette-cut diamonds take the place of the hour markers, and the Royal Oak hands feature luminescence. Glare-proof sapphire crystal caps the dial and the caseback.
Automatic Calibre 5809 drives the 34mm timepieces with about 50 hours of power reserve, while the 37mms are housed with automatic Calibre 5909 offering them about 60 hours of reserve.
Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin
Audemars Piguet released the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Only Watch (Ref. 15202XT) back in the 2019 Only Watch auction, a 39mm model that was crafted with titanium and metallic glass (or BMG for Bulk Metallic Glass, an amorphous and hard alloy). For the first time, the timepiece is being introduced in the Royal Oak collection in the same material and case size. BMG can be found in the watch’s bezel, caseback, and bracelet studs. In another first, the metallic glass is combined with palladium base, a material known for its scratch-resistance and shiny texture.
The sunburst smoked burgundy dial of the watch features hour markers and hands made with 18K pink gold and coated with luminescence. The date window lies at 3 o’clock and the AP monogram at 6 o’clock. Automatic Calibre 7121 powers the watch and offers about 55 hours of reserve. Calibre 7121 was introduced in the “Jumbo” models last year and replaced Calibre 2121, which had powered the collection since 1972. The calibre is topped with a 22K pink gold oscillating weight which is proprietary for the collection. Côtes de Genève, snailing, circular satin-finishing, circular graining, and angle polishing decorate the movement.
A satin-finished and polished titanium bracelet put together with metallic glass studs and closed with a titanium AP folding clasp, completes the watch.
Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Openworked
Audemars Piguet introduced yet another version of the ‘Jumbo’ with the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Openworked crafted in 18K yellow gold. The openworked Jumbo was first introduced on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak collection last year. The timepiece also carries forward the design codes of the 1972 model.
The 39mm timepiece is satin-brushed with polished chamfers. The openworked dial reveals the extra-thin automatic Calibre 7124, in yellow gold tone matching the case, which also includes the inner bezel. The contrasting white gold details are seen in the luminescence-coated hour markers and hands, as well as the hexagonal screws on the bezel. The dial is capped with a robust sapphire crystal with the brand’s signature printed in black.
The movement offers a power reserve of about 57 hours and the watch is water resistant up to 50 metres. The case comes flanked with a tapering 18K yellow gold bracelet with AP folding clasp.
42mm Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie
Continuing its series of firsts, Audemars Piguet unveiled two new Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie timepieces in 42mm black ceramic cases. The complicated timepieces feature a Grande Tapisserie dial with white gold Royal Oak hands coated with luminescence. In the first version (Ref. 26591CE.OO.D002CA.01) the white gold hour markers are coated with luminescence, while in Ref. 26591CE.OO.D002CA.02, the hour markers are replaced with 13 baguette-cut diamonds. At the circumference of the dial is the minute track and at 6 o’clock lies the snailed small seconds counter. On the bezel are Royal Oak’s very own six hexagonal screws in white gold. Again for the first, the caseback is now full black ceramic, with small apertures present at the sides to let the air through. In the case design, the gongs are attached to a titanium membrane instead of the mainplate for improved sound transmission. The air through the caseback aperture helps in better resonation for the notes of the minute repeater when the watch is worn on the wrist. The technology also helps to overcome resistance in the sound conductivity of the ceramic watch body.
This Supersonnerie technology comes in the brand’s latest patented hand-wound minute repeater movement, the Calibre 2953. The movement was first introduced in the Royal Oak Concept collection in 2015. The brand created this latest chiming technology together with EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. The power reserve offered by the movement is a minimum of 72 hours.
The watches are water resistant up to 20 metres and come with black rubber straps with titanium studs and AP folding clasps.
Two 43mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronographs
Celebrating the collection’s 30th anniversary, Audemars Piguet revealed two new iterations in the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph line. The 43mm timepieces are created by combining materials like ceramic, pink gold, and titanium. Out of the two, the Ref. 26420CE.OO.A043VE.01 is in the black ceramic case with a blue ceramic bezel, smoked blue dial, and titanium caseback, while Ref. 26420OI.OO.A015VE.01 is crafted in 18K pink gold case and caseback with a titanium bezel and grey dial.
Both the dials are decorated with Méga Tapisserie pattern. The chronograph counters at 3,6, and 9 o’clock are in black. Luminescence-coated hour markers and hands are made with white gold in the blue-black version and with pink gold in the grey version. Ergonomically designed, the timepieces revisit the design codes of the 44mm Ref. 26405CE launched back in 2020. The bezel, push buttons, and crown are streamlined to form a curve and the edges of the case are chamfered.
Powering the timepieces is the brand’s latest integrated chronograph movement, the Calibre 4401, which has a column wheel and flyback function and a power reserve of about 70 hours. Côtes de Genève, sunray brushing, circular graining, circular satin and polished chamfers decorate the movement.
The watches are flanked with calfskin leather straps in a textile effect in colour matching the dial. The interchangeable strap system allows one to wear it with an additional black rubber strap.
Images: Courtesy Brand
Also Read :
Audemars Piguet Unveils Royal Oak Automatic 34 in White Ceramic
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Audemars Piguet adds five new Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 37mm
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