Though the Royal Oak was duly feted final 12 months when it turned fifty, this 12 months kicks off with a bunch of releases of Gerald Genta’s iconic luxurious sports activities watch. This particular version trilogy – composed of Selfwinding, Selfwinding Chronograph and Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon fashions – shares 41mm white gold circumstances, smoked mild blue Grand Tapisserie dials and latest-generation in-house automated actions. Just like the Royal Oak Chronograph with baguette-cut sapphires, these particular editions by Audemars Piguet might be bought initially in Japan from March 2023 after which supplied globally in July 2023.
The 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak additionally concerned a delicate facelift for 34, 37, 38 and 41mm Selfwinding and Selfwinding Chronograph fashions. The enduring tonneau-shaped case, octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws, built-in bracelet and Tapisserie sample on the dial have been all revered. What it did contain, nevertheless, was a extra subtle ending on the case with enlarged polished bevels to boost the play of sunshine. Different tweaks embody the tapering profile of the bracelet, thinner, lighter hyperlinks, harmonised hour markers and arms throughout all of the self-winding fashions, and tone-on-tone date wheels. The standard AP monogram at 12 is changed with the signature of the model that’s obtained utilizing a galvanic progress course of superimposing layers of gold earlier than being utilized to the dial.
Following within the steps of the just lately launched Royal Oaks with gradient blue dials, this trilogy additionally flaunts blue smoked dials however in a softer shade of blue that ranges from sky blue to navy blue because it intensifies in direction of the periphery.
Royal Oak Selfwinding
As iconic because it will get, the 41mm three-hand Selfwinding Royal Oak is represented within the trilogy. Reflecting the design upgrades practised in 2022, the 50m water resistant 18k white gold case reveals its wider bevels and contrasting polished and brushed surfaces. Fitted with three central arms and a date window at 3 o’clock, this particular version flaunts a gradient or smoked mild blue Grand Tapisserie dial. Crafted in white gold, the utilized hour markers and Royal Oak arms are handled with luminescent coating.
As followers of the model will bear in mind, the 41mm Selfwinding Royal Oak was upgraded with a bigger in-house automated motion developed for the Code 11.59. In comparison with the previous motion, the brand new calibre 4302 will not be solely bigger, that means the date window sits nearer to the periphery, however its frequency is larger, and the ability reserve bumped up from 60 to 70 hours. Considered from the caseback, the motion includes a skeletonised gold rotor with the letters AP within the centre.
Fast info: ref. 15510BC.OO.1320BC.02 – 41mm x 10.5mm – 18k white gold, brushed and polished – screw-down crown – sapphire crystal back and front – 50m water-resistance – smoked blue Grand Tapisserie dial, white gold hour markers and RO arms with luminescent coating, date window at 3 o’clock – calibre 4302, in-house, automated – 4Hz/28,800vph – 70h energy reserve – built-in 18k white gold bracelet with AP folding clasp – EUR 63,600
Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph
As an alternative of blue sapphires within the bezel, this second 41mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph designed (initially) for the Japanese market goes for an indicator AP frosted white gold case. This isn’t the primary time Japan has been feted with a 41mm RO frosted gold chronograph. Final 12 months, two 41mm frosted gold chronographs and latest-generation actions marking the RO’s 50th anniversary have been singled out for the Japanese market.
Frosted gold, also referred to as a Florentine end, was launched to AP by Italian jewelry designer Carolina Bucci. Utilizing a diamond-tipped software, the artisan hammers delicately on the case, bevel and bracelet to provide tiny indentations that sparkle like diamond mud.
One of many key design evolutions of the Royal Oak Selfwinding fashions regards the enlarged and polished chamfers that additionally refine and attenuate the scale visually, giving the 12.4mm thick case a extra slender profile. Given the grainy frosted ending of this mannequin, the distinction with the intense polished bevels stands out.
The gradient mild blue Grand Tapisserie dial hosts three sub-dials in an analogous color however with snailed interiors and black markings. Utilized white gold hour markers and Royal Oak arms, all handled with luminescent materials, and a central chronograph seconds hand and date window at 4:30h full the image.
Initially introduced within the Code 11.59 assortment of 2019, calibre 4401 is AP’s in-house automated built-in flyback chronograph motion with a column wheel, vertical clutch, and a strong 70h energy reserve. In contrast to an ordinary chronograph, a flyback means that you can cease, reset and begin the chronograph in a single easy motion.
Fast info: ref. 26240BC.GG.1324BC.02 – 41mm x 12.4mm – 18k white gold, frosted, polished and brushed – screw-down crown – sapphire crystal back and front – 50m water-resistance – smoked blue Grand Tapisserie dial, white gold hour markers and RO arms with luminescent coating, 3 snailed sub-dials, date window at 4:30h – calibre 4401, automated in-house built-in flyback chronograph with column wheel and vertical clutch – 4Hz/28,800vph – 70h energy reserve – built-in 18k white frosted gold bracelet with AP folding clasp – EUR 90,600
Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon
The third mannequin for the Japanese market showcases watchmaking and gem-setting finesse with a flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock and a bunch of baguette-cut diamonds set on the bezel and as hour markers on the dial. Like the opposite two particular editions, the Grand Tapisserie dial has a smoked mild blue color, and the Royal Oak arms are handled with luminescent materials.
The most recent-generation flying tourbillon motion, calibre 2950, beats beneath the sapphire crystal caseback. An automated flying tourbillon motion with a central rotor first used within the Code 11.59 assortment, it beats at 3Hz and gives a cushty energy reserve of 65 hours.
Fast info: ref. 26730BC.ZZ.1320BC.02 – 41mm x 10.6mm – 18k white gold, brushed and polished – 32 baguette-cut diamonds in bezel – sapphire crystal back and front – 50m water-resistance – smoked blue Grand Tapisserie dial with diamond hour markers – calibre 2950, automated, in-house flying tourbillon – 3Hz/21,600vph – 65h energy reserve – built-in 18k white gold bracelet with AP folding clasp – value upon request
For extra info, please go to audemarspiguet.com.
https://monochrome-watches.com/three-ap-royal-oaks-in-41mm-white-gold-cases-with-smoked-light-blue-dials/