Celebrating 50 years of innovation, Audemars Piguet has unveiled the latest generation of its celebrated collectable watch, the Royal Oak and seeks to reinvent with its latest model, the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon. Royal Oak enthusiasts will find themselves amazed that the watch is fitted with an ultra-thin flying tourbillon movement, the first Jumbo in fifty years to do so.

The tourbillon cage of the Royal Oak’s earlier 41 mm models was redeveloped to tackle the difficulty of combining a self-winding mechanism with a flying tourbillion without distorting the classic “Jumbo” case proportions. The results are something quite unique: A self-winding flying tourbillon movement, which measures only 3.4 mm in height and is known for its exquisite micro-mechanics.

A Petite Tapisserie dial in the classic Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 hue and a printed Audemars Piguet signature at 12 o’clock complement the stainless steel case. Its flying tourbillon cage, which looks to the future, provides a peek at the cutting-edge technology inside. As for the overall look and presentation, the case is significantly thicker than the original’s 7mm thickness. However, it has a sapphire caseback. Signature satin-brushed and dazzling hand-polished finishes adorn the stainless steel case and bracelet.

The automated 2968 calibre’s open-worked bridges and rotor are visible through the caseback. The movement is based on the new 7121 calibre, which is housed in the automatic Jumbo 16202 with a long power reserve and a rotor set on ball bearings. In addition to reinventing the tourbillon cage, Audemars Piguet has announced that the 39 mm flying tourbillon will be accompanied by a 37 mm diameter Royal Oak Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon in the near future.

Within and beyond watchmaking, the Royal Oak has become a cultural symbol with Audemars Piguet promising “more surprises in the years and decades to come”.

(Photos: Audemars Piguet)