With a focus on materials and design, Audemars Piguet has unveiled an extensive range of new watches. There’s a recreation of a vintage an asymmetrical rectangular model from the 1960s, three mini Royal Oaks, two bejewelled Code 11.59, two Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked, two Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding models with ‘Crystal Sand’ finished dial, and a new Royal Oak in polychrome gold
[RE]Master02 Selfwinding
Paying tribute to Model 5159BA, an asymmetrical watch created by the brand in 1960 that was inspired by the Brutalist architecture movement, Audemars Piguet has unveiled a new [RE]Master02 Selfwinding, another asymmetrical rectangular timepiece encased in 41mm 18K sand gold alloy—an alloy formed with a mixture solid gold with copper and palladium, whose colour oscillates between white and pink gold. The brand has previously released 41mm 18K sand gold alloy [RE]Master01, in 2020, reinterpreting a chronograph from 1943.
Topped with glare proof sapphire crystal, the latest version features a parted blue dial finished with unique parallel brushing. Devoid of hourmarkers, the dial entails sand gold hands matching the case aesthetics. Powering the watch is the Calibre 7129, an hour and minute movement, boasting a 52-hour power reserve and flanking the case is a blue contrasted alligator strap.
The Code 11.59
Two new 38mm bejewelled models join the brand’s Code 11.59 family. One is an 18K white gold version (Ref. 77410BC.ZZ.D132CR.01) decorated with more than 500 brilliant-cut pink sapphires and diamonds, and the other is crafted in 18K pink gold (Ref. 77410OR.ZZ.D343CR.01) accentuated with over 500 diamonds and blue sapphire. The gems are set on the dial randomly in two different sizes for a unique two-tone shimmering effect. There are diamonds on the lugs and crown as well.
Topped with double glareproofed sapphire crystal, the timepieces feature lume coated rhodium-toned or blue inner bezel. The gem-set dials entail white or pink gold applied hour markers. Matching the bezel colour, a pearly grey or dark blue “large square scale” alligator strap with 18K white or pink gold AP folding clasp set with brilliant-cut diamonds, flanks the cases. The movement beating inside is Calibre 5909 with 60-hour power reserve.
Royal Oak Mini Frosted Gold Quartz
Following the design codes of the 20mm Mini Royal Oak launched in 1997, and inspired by the brand’s history of miniature and jewellery watches, the now launched “Mini Oak” collection features three newly reinterpreted miniature Royal Oak quartz models in 23mm diameter. The watches are crafted in 18K yellow (Ref. 67630BA.GG.1312BA.01), white (Ref. 67630BC.GG.1312BC.01) or pink gold (Ref. 67630OR.GG.1312OR.01) combined with the brilliance of Frosted Gold, an ancient gold hammering technique to create tiny notches on the surface, for an appealing visual effect. The effect continues to the matching tapering bracelets.
The petite tapisserie dial of the timepieces entails case-matching faceted gold hour-markers applied with lume. Powering the Royal Oak Mini watches is the quartz movement, Calibre 2730, providing a battery life of over seven years. Additionally, the calibre comes with a switch so that the wearer saves some battery life by deactivating the battery by pulling the crown.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked
There are two Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked models encased in 37mm diameter - one is crafted in 18K pink gold (Ref. 15467OR.OO.1256OR.02, featuring a contrasting purple flange, and the other is made in white gold (Ref. 15467BC.OO.1256BC.01), with light blue flange, both topped with glare proof sapphire crystal.
To add further contrast on the dials the rose gold version features lume coasted white gold hour-markers and Royal Oak hands while the white gold reference has rose gold markers and hands.
Driving the creations is the automatic movement Calibre 3132, equipped with a double balance wheel mechanism for precision and stability, patented innovation by the brand in 2016—the mechanical movement can be witnessed via the skeleton dial as well as the sapphire crystal caseback. The watches come with 45 hours of power reserve.
Royal Oak in polychrome gold
In March 2024, Audemars Piguet introduced chroma ceramic, a new multi-colored ceramic. The maison has now unveiled the Royal Oak in chroma gold, the first of its kind by the brand, a patented polychrome gold with a camouflage motif, created using advanced Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technology which allows quick sintering of the powdered gold.
The gold alloy watch is 34mm in diameter and features a camouflage motif in yellow, pink, and white gold. To achieve the multi-colored camouflage motif, different colours of gold undergo separate transformations. The gold is first melted and then the droplets are atomised to form the powder. To create the desired pattern, this powder is meticulously arranged in a circular graphite mould.
The mould is then sintered by applying a powerful electric current through the graphite, causing a rapid temperature increase. This, along with mechanical pressure on both sides of the mould, enables extremely fast sintering. The result is a disc which shows the combination of various gold shades achieved during the powder distribution process, and is used to create the case, bezel, and bracelet links for the watch. To bring out the maison’s trademark alternate satin finished and polished chamfers, the components are pre-polished and pre-satin-brushed and then hand-finished.
Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding
Audemars Piguet has unveiled two new monochromatic versions of the Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding models with a ‘Crystal Sand’' finished dial, in 18K yellow and white gold. The case and the bracelet boast the maison’s ‘Frosted Gold’ finish. Both watches are 34mm in diameter to fit slender wrists. The watches are hammer-finished to create the intricate play of light.
The ‘Crystal Sand’ motif of the dial is made out of real ruthenium crystal and then utilising techniques like electroforming, a metal deposition process, and galvanic bath, through which the monochromatic appeal of the watch is created.
The white gold version features 18K pink gold hour-markers and hands are coated with luminescence. The yellow gold model boasts 18K white gold hour markers and hands. There’s a date window at 3 o’clock that blends with the tone of the watches. Calibre 5800 powers the watches, beating at 4 Hz with a reserve of about 50 hours. The see-through caseback reveals the oscillating weight in pink gold and the decorations of the movement which include Côtes de Genève, satin and sunray brushing, circular graining and polished chamfers.
Images: Courtesy brand
Also Read :
Fast Paced: We explore how the Tissot T-Touch Connect Sport heightens to the brand’s legacy of tactile watches
|
Hands on with the destro Rolex GMT-Master II
|
MB&F’s new Legacy Machine Sequential Flyback Platinum has twin chronograph and flyback function
More In news
Sign up for our newsletters to have the latest stories delivered to your inbox