Arms-On Inexperienced Ceramic AP Royal Oak Idea Flying Tourbillon GMT

For many people, an idea watch is designed to indicate off a model’s technical abilities and potential route for the long run. Just like the idea vehicles the concept was borrowed from, idea watches are usually cutting-edge, humongously complicated, far-out timepieces which are ultimately toned down and evolve into tamer industrial editions or by no means see the sunshine of day. At Audemars Piguet, the primary Royal Oak Idea watch was unveiled in 2002 and, in an uncommon flip, advanced right into a full-fledged assortment often known as the Royal Oak Idea. One in all its members, the Flying Tourbillon GMT, is again within the limelight with a brand new inexperienced ceramic bezel – a primary for this assortment -, inexperienced accents on the openworked dial and the imposing 44mm titanium case constructed like a rampart to guard the in-house motion.

Royal Oak Idea

Twenty years in the past, AP celebrated the 30^th anniversary of its iconic Royal Oak with the launch of a 150-piece restricted version impressed by an idea automobile. To not be confused with the beefed-up Royal Oak Offshore assortment launched in 1993 to mark the Royal Oak’s 20^th anniversary, the primary Royal Oak Idea watch was a super-charged Royal Oak with a large 44mm case product of alacrite and titanium and with an openworked dial to showcase the tourbillon with shock-absorbing bridge, a dynamograph to point the torque of the mainspring and a linear energy reserve indicator. Though the primary RO Idea was not replicated, the gathering was a everlasting platform for experimentation, revolutionary supplies, avant-garde designs and issues. Over time, we’ve seen the RO Idea Tourbillon & Chronograph (2008), the RO Idea Flying Tourbillon GMT (2011), the patented RO Idea Laptimer Michael Schumacher and the RO Idea Acoustic Analysis Minute Repeater (each in 2015), the Royal Oak Idea Flying Tourbillon (2018) and launched once more in 2021 with the “Black Panther” Flying Tourbillon to mark the model’s partnership with Marvel.

Ramparts

Given its formidable 44mm case diameter and 16.1mm thickness, light-weight but resilient titanium is the plain materials of alternative. Much like the defensive boundaries defending a fortress, the ramparts of the newest Royal Oak Idea Flying Tourbillon GMT function a sandblasted ending and contrasting brushed flanks. The flowery, angular structure defending the push-piece and guarding the screw-down crown function the identical finishings because the case enlivened with a brushed and polished inexperienced ceramic crown and matching pusher.

Rising above the ramparts is the Royal Oak’s signature octagonal bezel with eight screws, now crafted in inexperienced ceramic with hand-finished satin-brushed surfaces and polished chamfers. Seen from the aspect, you possibly can respect the built-in design idea because the case and rubber strap circulation seamlessly into each other.

Openworked Dial

One other RO Idea household trait is the usage of openworked dials to disclose elements of the motion. With such a thick case, the dial has loads of depth and plunges dramatically from the hour flange. A collection of angular, uneven black sandblasted titanium bridges give the dial an edgy vibe. Two open pentagons at 12 and 6 o’clock home the model emblem and crown place indicator (HNR), respectively. Utilizing utilized pink gold letters for the AP emblem and the HNR, the inexperienced background of the emblem and crown place indicator is achieved with a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The flying tourbillon at 9 o’clock, with two delta-shaped constructions on both aspect, pops out of the dial with its pink gold-toned cage and escapement. For visibility in low mild situations, the pink gold semi-skeletonised arms are stuffed with luminescent coating, as are the oblong hour markers on the black sloping flange.

Reverse the flying tourbillon at 3 o’clock is the second time zone perform with a golden arrow and the corresponding pusher at 4 o’clock for one-hour changes. The hour disc of the GMT is crafted in sapphire with white numerals outlined in black, whereas the day/night time disc, in brass, has two colored areas: white for daytime and inexperienced CVD-coloured numerals for the night time. Beneath the openworked bridges, you can even see elements of the escapement and stability wheel.

Matching the bezel and accents on the dial and case, a inexperienced rubber strap with a sandblasted titanium AP folding clasp completes the bundle.

Calibre 2954

Matching the would possibly building is a mighty manual-winding motion able to storing as much as 10 days (237 hours) of energy reserve due to its patented parallel double barrel system. The hand-wound calibre 2954 has 348 parts, 24 jewels and measures 35.6mm x 9.15mm. Seen beneath an elaborate, openworked geometric construction of black bridges, the tourbillon at 9 o’clock wheel oscillates at 3Hz.

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Idea Flying Tourbillon GMT Inexperienced Ceramic (reference 26589IO.OO.D056CA.01) comes with an extra black rubber strap and can retail for CHF 198,900 (excl. taxes). For extra info, please go to audemarspiguet.com.