Introducing The Audemars ROC Break up-Seconds Chronograph GMT

The launch of a brand new Royal Oak Idea is all the time fairly of an occasion. Since 2002, the gathering has been a platform of experimentation for Audemars Piguet, mixing progressive technical options with avant-garde design. A working example, the brand new ROC Break up-Seconds GMT ref. 26650TI combines a brand new automated rattrapante chronograph motion with dual-time perform and huge date, a brand new case measurement and an interchangeable strap system. 

If the chronograph is likely one of the most revered problems, the rattrapante or split-seconds perform takes it to a complete new stage. This intricate mechanism is likely one of the most troublesome to make. Break up-second chronographs characteristic two superimposed seconds fingers that point two occasions of various lengths concurrently. One hand (the rattrapante) will be stopped to show an intermediate time, whereas the opposite one retains operating. A second push on the rattrapante pusher permits the stopped hand to catch up (rattraper in French) with the transferring hand.

This complication has been extraordinarily uncommon in Audemars Piguet’s wristwatch choices with just one instance documented earlier than 1996, a watch bought in 1949 that now belongs to a prestigious personal assortment. The perform was then included in three grandes problems (1996 Grande Complication, 1997 Royal Oak Grande Complication, 2013 Royal Oak Offshore Grande Complication). And, point out have to be fabricated from the Royal Oak Idea Laptimer. If this watch developed with Michael Schumacher just isn’t per se a split-second chronograph, it’s able to measuring consecutive lap occasions on the racetrack.

The brand new Royal Oak Idea Break up-Seconds premieres a brand-new motion combining a flyback chronograph with split-seconds, a GMT perform and a big date. Its open-worked dial provides a glimpse of its spectacular structure whereas reinforcing the trendy and technical character of the watch. The pink and yellow accents, respectively marking the chronograph and GMT capabilities, and the tachymeter scale transferred onto the inside bezel add a sporty contact.

As its reference quantity suggests, the brand new calibre 4407 of this ROC Break up-Seconds is derived from the calibre 4400, the model’s in-house built-in chronograph first seen inside the Code 11.59 assortment. As such, it’s a high-end, fashionable building with a column wheel and a vertical clutch. Nonetheless, it has been considerably re-engineered to permit the addition of the rattrapante perform, particularly for vitality administration. And in contrast to the calibre 4400, the hairspring incorporates a Breguet overcoil.

One of many highlights of this modern-looking motion will be seen by way of the sapphire caseback. The split-second mechanism has been partially built-in throughout the centre of the platinum winding rotor (that AP aptly describes as semi-peripheral). This allowed the AP watchmakers to maintain the motion thinner and to supply an unimpeded view of the split-second wheel and clamp, underneath the x-shaped bridges on the centre of the motion. All of this whereas providing the practicality of automated winding.

The Royal Oak Idea Break up-Seconds GMT additionally introduces a brand new 43mm case measurement. Long-established out of titanium, with a mixture of satin-brushed, sandblasted and polished surfaces, it’s most likely some of the complicated instances ever produced by the model. Its dynamic and angular structure options ceramic push-pieces, a number of inserts and guards. The rattrapante push-piece is situated at 9 o’clock (a nod to the 2015 Royal Oak Idea Laptimer). The GMT corrector is a push-piece co-axial to the screw-locked crown. 

For the primary time on this assortment, this new ROC Break up-Seconds GMT comes with an interchangeable strap system. The clicking-and-release mechanism built-in each within the case and the clasp means that you can swap your straps in seconds. The watch is delivered with an built-in black and gray rubber strap and a spare all-black rubber strap. Further black rubber straps with pink or yellow accents might be obtainable in boutiques.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Idea Break up-Seconds Chronograph GMT Giant Date 43mm (ref. 26650TI.OO.D013CA.01) might be priced at CHF 170,000 excl. taxes. It’s a part of the everlasting assortment. For extra info, please go to www.audemarspiguet.com.