Tag Archive for: AUDEMARS PIGUET

THE 34 MM ROYAL OAK SELFWINDING IN BLACK CERAMIC RETURNS WITH A SUBTLE DESIGN EVOLUTION FOR THE COLLECTION’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet has slightly evolved the 34 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding fully dressed in black ceramic on the occasion of the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary.

While the case’s design remains unchanged, the black dial benefits from the Royal Oak’s latest design evolution debuted in 2022 on several 34, 37, 38 and 41 mm Royal Oak models. The watch is also fitted with the Royal Oak’s dedicated anniversary oscillating weight.

MORE NUANCED DIAL DESIGN

Similarly to last year, this 34 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding timepiece adorns a black guilloché “Grande Tapisserie” dial contrasted with scintillating pink gold accents. Yet, it benefits from the refined dial design evolution debuting in 2022 on some of the Royal Oak models in 34, 37, 38 and 41 mm.

The logo now presents an applied Audemars Piguet signature crafted in 24-carat pink gold achieved through galvanic growth – a chemical process akin to 3D printing. Each letter is connected with links approximately the size of a hair and placed by hand on the dial with tiny legs almost invisible to the eye. This long-form signature appears at 12 o’clock without the AP monogram for added refinement.

While keeping with the Royal Oak’s aesthetic codes, the size and length of the faceted hour-markers and hands have been harmonised with the rest of the anniversary Royal Oak Selfwinding and Selfwinding Chronograph models across the collection for optimum visibility.

BLACK CERAMIC ILLUMINATED WITH PINK GOLD

Similarly to last year’s version, the watch’s black ceramic case and bracelet are embellished with 18-carat pink gold hexagonal screws, which secure the bezel onto the case, for a refined two-tone contrast. All the case and bracelet components have been finished by hand with the Manufacture’s trademark alternation of satin-brushing and polished chamfers, providing an ever-changing play of light.

“Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.”  

AUDEMARS PIGUET RELEASES ITS FIRST EVER ROYAL OAK SELFWINDING FLYING TOURBILLON OPRENWORKED

Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is delighted to unveil its very first Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked in a 41 mm diameter to celebrate the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary. This stainless steel timepiece is powered by the Manufacture’s first ever selfwinding flying tourbillon openworked mechanism, Calibre 2972, premiered on this elegant monochromatic timepiece. This latest in-house movement builds on Audemars Piguet’s long expertise in both openworking and tourbillon mechanisms, pushing the contemporary aesthetics to new heights.

A SELFWINDING FLYING TOURBILLON
ENDOWED WITH A DISTINCTIVE OPENWORKED ARCHITECTURE

The newly released Calibre 2972, which combines a central rotor with a flying tourbillon, evolves from Calibre 2950, launched in 2019 as part of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection. The new calibre has been conceived to offer symmetry and a rich play of light. Its highly stylised and multilayered openworked architecture bestows the watch with a unique 3D effect, as the shape of the bridges has been finished horizontally and vertically.

Calibre 2972 builds on the age-old openworking techniques that have been reshaping what is possible with wristwatch design since the 1930s. The beauty and finesse of the mechanism is revealed by removing as much material from the mainplate and bridges as possible to let light pass through, without impairing its functions. Leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies, the preliminary geometries of the mainplate and bridges have been cut through computer numerical control (CNC) machining, before being perfected by electric discharge machining (EDM). This manufacturing process enables to remove small amounts of material with extreme precision to reach the desired shape.

Each component has then been finished with refined Haute Horlogerie decorations including “traits tirés,” satin, circular and sunray brushing, snailing, as well as polished chamfers. The polished V-angles that can be admired on both sides of the watch reflect the meticulous handiwork that went into their realisation as this level of craftsmanship can only be achieved by hand. The rhodium-toned hues of the different components sit in harmony with the watch’s stainless steel case and bracelet, providing the watch with a contemporary monochromatic aesthetic.
The unobscured flying tourbillon, located at 6 o’clock, compensates for the effect of gravity and enhances accuracy. The balance wheel is housed in a tiny revolving cage which makes a revolution per minute to prevent the hairspring from remaining static. Only supported on the mainplate, the flying tourbillon is considered today as a symbol of watchmaking art as only a few watchmakers retain the necessary skills for its realisation.

“Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.”  

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Le Brassus, – Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacturer Audemars Piguet presents its Only Watch unique piece 2019: the two-tone Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Openworked.

CODE 11.59 BY AUDEMARS PIGUET – TOURBILLON OPENWORKED ONLY WATCH UNIQUE PIECE 2019

The unique model’s two-tone case emphasizes the architectural complexity of Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet. Its 18-carat pink gold octagonal middle case subtly contrasts with the 18-carat white gold extra-thin bezel, lugs and caseback. Satin-brushed, bevelled and polished, the bezel, lugs and case present refined finishing techniques usually found on calibres. The caseback is engraved with “Unique Piece.”

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This watch houses a hand-wound tourbillon openworked movement, calibre 2948. Its rhodium-toned openworked plate, finished with vertical traits-tirés, is enhanced by pink gold-toned titanium tourbillon and barrel bridges with polished rhodium-toned angles. Echoing the two-tone colour of the case, the decoration of this movement amplifies the watch’s multi-tiered construction. With 70 hand-polished angles, the hand finishing on this movement pushes the openworking art to new heights.


The opaline silver-toned white gold inner bezel nicely frames the openworked movement and accentuates the extra-thinness of the watch’s bezel, barely visible around the dial. The long 18-carat pink gold hands add yet another subtle touch of colour.

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This unique model comes with a black alligator strap, which further highlights the refinement and artistry of the watch’s case and movement.
François-Henry Bennahmias, Audemars Piguet Chief Executive Officer, rejoices over Audemars Piguet’s participation in this event: “We are proud to contribute to this charity auction once more and help advance scientific and medical research.”

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Openworked // 41mm
26600CR.OO.D002CR.99
FUNCTIONS
Tourbillon, hours and minute.
CASE
18-carat pink gold case, 18-carat white gold bezel, lugs and caseback, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, water-resistant to 30m.
DIAL
Opaline silver-toned 18-carat white gold inner bezel, openworked, 18-carat pink gold hands.
STRAP
Hand-stitched “large square scale” black alligator strap with 18-carat white gold folding clasp.
MOVEMENT
Hand-wound Manufacture calibre 2948
Total diameter: 31.65 mm (14 lignes)
Total thickness: 4.97 mm
Number of parts: 196
Number of jewels: 19
Minimal guaranteed power reserve: 80 h
Frequency of balance wheel: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
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About Audemars Piguet

Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet). Since 1875, the company has written some of the finest chapters in the history of Haute Horlogerie, including a number of world firsts. In the Vallée de Joux, at the heart of the Swiss Jura, numerous masterpieces are created in limited series embodying a remarkable degree of horological perfection, including daring sporty models, classic and traditional timepieces, splendid ladies’ jewellery-watches, as well as one-of-a-kind creations. www.audemarspiguet.com
©Audemars Piguet 2019