Audemars Piguet has unveiled a new addition to its most popular line during the Spring/Summer 2024 Haute Couture Fashion Week - the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon limited edition has been created in collaboration with designer Tamara Ralph, and was revealed during her runway show at the fashion week. Ralph’s bold and feminine aesthetics are the inspiration behind the creation of this 102-piece limited edition Royal Oak Concept watch.
Audemars Piguet first joined hands with the designer in 2020 and had presented several of its timepieces paired with her Spring/Summer 2021 Prêt-à-Porter collection, and the new timepiece further strengthens the partnership.
Presented in 18K pink gold, the 38.5mm case of the watch is accentuated with frosted gold via an ancient technique called Florentine used by Audemars Piguet since 2016 to adorn its timepieces, where tiny dents are created over the gold using a diamond tipped tool to give it a sparkling effect. The case is further complemented by an octagonal bezel conformed by a polished bevel, and the satin-brushed flanks. On the bezel are the brand’s conventional stainless steel hexagonal screws, whose shape can also be seen in the crown set with cabochon-cut sapphire.
The dial is multi-layered, a detail that takes cues from Ralph’s couture creations. There are four circular gold plates in different colours (starting from centre- brown, bronze, and the gold tones) that overlap each other and appear to be emerging from the flying tourbillon cage visible at 6 o’clock, creating a ripple effect. The colour of the brown and golden plates is achieved through galvanic treatment and that of the bronze through a covering of bronze lacquer. Each of the plates is completed with a thin diamond polished gold thread which creates a depth effect. Hour markers are eliminated to maintain the aesthetic beauty. At 12 o’clock lies the AP monogram. Continuous satin-brushed finishing radiating outwards from the18K pink gold hands completes the dial.
On the flip side, the caseback features a glare-proof sapphire crystal held in position with a satin-brushed 18K pink gold octagonal frame, completed with polished chamfers and “Royal Oak Concept Limited Edition” engraving.
Powering the watch is the manual Calibre 2964 beating at 3Hz frequency and offering a reserve of about 72 hours. Similar to the dial, the back bridges are also designed in a circular fashion, radiating from the flying tourbillon, and finished with satin and sandblasted textures alternately, thereby creating a depth effect and the Frosted decoration of the case.
The timepiece is flanked with a hand-stitched alligator strap in bronze tone and ‘large square scales’. An additional brown alligator strap also comes with the watch. Both the straps have a pearly finish.
Images: Courtesy brand
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