Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Collection With Smoked Blue Dials
Audemars Piguet unveils three Royal Oak special editions at the same time. Each edition features the same smoked blue dial with a “Grande Tapisserie” motif and comes in a 41 mm sized white gold case with a choice of movements: Selfwinding, Selfwinding Chronograph and Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon. They will initially be sold exclusively in Japan from May 2023, before being offered to the rest of the world from July 2023.
A common denominator
Designed in 18-carat white gold, each piece shares the stylistic characteristics that are dear to the Manufacture, notably the alternation of satin and polished surfaces, like the bevels on the bezel, case and bracelet. The signature “Grande Tapisserie” motif adorns each of the dials and comes in a very soft shade of blue that ranges from sky blue to navy blue. The hour and minute hands are enhanced with a luminescent coating and sweep over the applied and faceted gold hour markers (doubled at noon), which are set with baguette-cut diamonds on the Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon version.
The AP monogram at 12 o’clock is now replaced by the signature of the Manufacture. It is obtained using a galvanic growth process that superimposes layers of gold to spell out the logo, before being delicately fixed to the dial via tiny feet. This process is similar to 3D printing and required three years of research and development. It is particularly complex because of the length of the signature.
The design of all three models was subtly updated for the 50th anniversary of the collection in 2022. The bevels, above and below the case, were widened, allowing for a more refined silhouette. The case back was slightly embedded into the case middle to better fit the wrist and provide increased comfort. Finally, the first links of the bracelet were better integrated into the case middle on either side of the watch thanks to a new trapezoidal shape that was non-parallel and allowed the bracelet to better adapt to the shape of each wrist.
Each timepiece features a sapphire case back that reveals each of the three selfwinding movements which, depending on the version, offer 65 to 70 hours of power reserve.
Selfwinding Royal Oak: The Art Of Purity
This first special edition reflects the original harmony of the Royal Oak with its three central hands and a date aperture at 3 o’clock, whose background has been specially coordinated with the blue of the dial. Powered by the selfwinding Calibre 4302 (257 parts and a 70-hour power reserve), this uncomplicated edition magnifies the purity of the Royal Oak’s lines and its timeless character.
A Flyback Chronograph Housed In A Frosted Gold Case
The second model features a flyback chronograph that is powered by Calibre 4401. For this version, the case is equipped with two pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock, accompanied by crown guards. Three counters are found on the dial that displays a similar sky-blue colour and is adorned with black markers. There is an hour counter at 3 o’clock, a small seconds at 6 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock. The date window is located between 4 and 5 o’clock.
This special edition is enhanced by a Frosted Gold finish on the case, bracelet and bezel.
Inspired by the Florentine hammering technique that was specially adapted to decorate Audemars Piguet watches, the Frosted Gold finish is achieved by hammering the gold to create tiny notches on the surface of the material using a diamond-tipped tool. The result is an elegant sparkling effect similar to that of precious stones or diamond dust.
A Flying Tourbillon Set With Diamonds
The third and final model combines watchmaking mastery and gem-setting savoir-faire. At 6 o’clock, the aerial flying tourbillon of the Calibre 2950 majestically appears. It represents the latest generation of Manufacture movements that combine a selfwinding flying tourbillon with a central oscillating weight.
Visible on both the dial and through the sapphire case back, the flying tourbillon cage with its hand-finishings, offers an unobstructed view of some of the watch’s regulating parts. The tourbillon runs at 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour) and counts down the seconds, leaving only the hour and minute hands in the centre of the dial.
Audemars Piguet has chosen a white gold bezel entirely set with baguette-cut diamonds for this timepiece. The brilliance of these diamonds is diffused on the polished and satin-finished gold surfaces, giving the piece a unique sparkle that echoes the blue dial.
Technical specifications
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 41mm
Reference: 15510BC.OO.1320BC.02
Case
- Material: 18-carat white gold
- Diameter: 41 mm
- Thickness: 10.5 mm
- Glass: Glareproofed sapphire crystal and case back
- Water-resistant to 50 metres
Dial and hands
-
Smoked blue dial with “Grande Tapisserie” motif
-
Applied hour markers and Royal Oak hands in white gold with luminescent coating.
Movement
- Self-winding calibre 4302
- Diameter: 32 mm (14 lignes)
- Thickness: 4.8 mm
- Number of parts: 257
- Number of jewels: 32
- Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
- Minimum power reserve guaranteed 70 h
Functions/Indications
-
Hours, minutes, seconds and date.
Strap and buckle
- 18-carat white gold bracelet and AP folding clasp.
MSRP: CHF 57'100
Technical specifications
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm
Reference: 26240BC.GG.1324BC.02
Case
- Material: 18-carat white gold hammered case
- Diameter: 41 mm
- Thickness: 12.4 mm
- Glass: Glareproofed sapphire crystal and case back
- Screw-down crown
- Water-resistant to 50 metres
Dial and hands
-
Smoked blue dial with “Grande Tapisserie” motif
-
Light blue counters
-
Applied hour markers and white gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
Movement
-
Self-winding calibre 4401Diameter: 32 mm (14 lignes)Thickness: 6.8 mmNumber of parts: 381Number of jewels: 40Minimum power reserve guaranteed 70 hFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
Functions/Indications
-
Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.
Strap and buckle
- 18-carat white gold bracelet and AP folding clasp.
MSRP: Price on request
Technical specifications
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon 41 mm
Reference: 26730BC.ZZ.1320BC.02
Case
- Material: 18-carat white gold case, baguette-set white gold bezel
- Diameter: 41 mm
- Thickness: 10.6 mm
- Glass: Glareproofed sapphire crystal and case back
- Water-resistant to 50 metres
Dial and hands
- Smoked blue dial with “Grande Tapisserie” motif
- Hour markers set with baguette-cut diamonds
- White gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
Movement
- Self-winding calibre 2950
- Diameter: 31.5 mm (13 ¾ lignes)
- Thickness: 6.2 mm
- Number of parts: 270
- Number of jewels: 27
- Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
- Minimum power reserve guaranteed 65 h
Functions/Indications
-
Flying tourbillon, hours and minutes.
Strap and buckle
- 18-carat white gold bracelet and AP folding clasp.
MSRP: Price on request
For more information, please visit audemarspiguet.com
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