While the Royal Oak collection by Audemars Piguet is known for its classic octagonal bezel, Tapisserie dial and integrated bracelet, it now sees an update with a fresh new look with the introduction of the watchmaker’s first ever Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon 41mm.
“The Royal Oak Tourbillon first made its debut in 1997 for the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak. This latest evolution featuring the flying tourbillon and selfwinding mechanism reintroduces this modern classic with updated aesthetics for the new decade,” said Michael Friedman, the Head of Complications.
The movement
Available in stainless steel, titanium and 18-carat pink gold, this new model is powered by Calibre 2950, the Manufacture’s latest generation of selfwinding movement which combines a flying tourbillon with a central rotor that was first released in 2019. The year before that, Audemars Piguet unveiled its first flying tourbillon wristwatch in the Royal Oak Concept collection.
The movement can be admired from the dial and caseback sides, with the hand-finished tourbillon cage providing a view of some of the watch’s regulating components enabling its rotation. The caseback also offers a view of the movement’s refined embellishments such as “Côtes de Genève”, satin-brushing, snailing and hand-polished chamfers, as well as a dedicated openworked oscillating weight in pink gold or rhodium-toned pink gold.
The look
The full titanium version features an elegant sandblasted slate grey dial, with snailing in periphery which offers an alternative to the Royal Oak’s trademark Tapisserie pattern. The dial is adorned with white-gold hour markers and hands, subtly echoing the flying tourbillon making its rotation at 6 o’clock.
A bolder design is seen in the stainless steel version, which is adorned with a smoked blue Tapisserie dial, with a state-of-the-art sunburst motif evolving from the flying tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock. The bewitching dial also offers an added depth to the flying tourbillon, while contrasting beautifully with the same white-gold hour markers and hands.
Finally, the 18-carat pink gold model serves as a contemporary and stylish statement. The smoked grey sunburst Tapisserie dial is enriched with pink-gold hour markers and hands, illuminating the pink gold case and bracelet. The flying tourbillon cage glimmers thanks to a touch of pink gold. All three versions sport a case and bracelet that’s been hand-finished with the brand’s emblematic alternation of satin-brushing and polished chamfers, playing with the juxtaposition of matte and polished finishing.
The finishing touch
The new timepieces also feature an applied 24-carat gold Audemars Piguet signature – marking a first in the Royal Oak collection. Made of thin layers of gold, the signature is created through a chemical process similar to 3D printing called galvanic growth. Each letter is connected with thin links that are almost invisible to the eye. The signature is then fixed on the dial by hand with minuscule legs.
Fun fact: The signature was originally developed to adorn the smooth lacquered dials of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet.
For more information on this stunning trio, visit audemarspiguet.com.
Photos: Audemars Piguet