Le Brassus, February 2023 – Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is delighted to introduce three new 18-carat white gold Royal Oak timepieces, all enriched with a Grande Tapisserie dial in a new smoked blue hue. The offering includes two Royal Oak Selfwinding models in 34 and 37 mm as well as a Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph in 38 mm. The bezel of the three timepieces shimmer with baguette-cut diamonds, furthering the play of light conferred by the Royal Oak’s multifaceted case and bracelet.
A flair for elegance
Audemars Piguet evolves the current Royal Oak collection for the smaller wrists with two new Royal Oak Selfwinding models in 34 and 37 mm combining 18-carat white gold, baguette-cut diamonds and a smoked blue dial. While the dial’s expressive blue hue is obtained by Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD), the smoked effect is achieved by meticulously spraying coloured varnish onto the dial’s periphery, while the dial is rotating. The colour gradation evolving from the centre outwards furthers accentuates the guilloché motif.
The 32 baguette-cut diamonds illuminating the bezel – a first for the 34 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding line – are echoed by the 12 baguette-cut diamond hour-markers punctuating the dial. The coloured dial is also enriched with white gold hands filled with luminescent coating as well as with the embossed gold “Audemars Piguet” signature at 12 o’clock. Introduced last year on 34 mm and 37 mm models, this logo has been obtained through galvanic growth: each letter is connected with minuscule links and is affixed onto the dial by hand with tiny legs almost invisible to the naked eye.
The two timepieces indicate the hours, minutes, seconds and date. The 34 mm reference is powered by the selfwinding Calibre 5800 which has a frequency of 4 Hz and a power reserve of minimum 50 hours. The 37 mm timepiece encloses the selfwinding Calibre 5900, endowed with a frequency of 4Hz and 60 hours of autonomy. Both movements are fitted with the collection’s 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight finished with sandblasting, satin-finishing and polished chamfers that can be admired through the two timepieces’ sapphire caseback. Other refined Haute Horlogerie decorations such as Côtes de Genève, trait-tirés, snailing and circular graining adorn the two mechanisms.
A glamourous interpretation of the chronograph
The Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph in 38 mm is offered in a new colourway, pairing an 18-carat white gold case with a deep smoked blue Grande Tapisserie dial and a bezel set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds. The smoked blue dial is complemented with a date and three snailed counters: the hours counter at 9 o’clock, the minutes counter at 3, the small seconds at 6.
The dial’s deep blue hues are countered by bright accents: white gold hands, filled with luminescent coating aiding legibility in dim light, are complemented with the applied gold “Audemars Piguet” signature below noon. Baguette-cut diamond hour-markers echo the glowing bezel, while playing with the Royal Oak’s strong lines and multiple facets. Finished with an alternation of satin brushing and polished chamfers, the case and bracelet engage with light like the facets of a diamond.
The timepiece is powered by the selfwinding Calibre 2385 which beats at a frequency of 3 Hz and has 40 hours of autonomy when not on the wrist. The watch is fitted with a solid 18-carat white gold caseback.
A slenderer silhouette engaging with the light
These three new timepieces are endowed with the latest ergonomic design introduced in 2022 on a selection of 34-, 37-, 38- and 41-mm sized references for the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak. The bevels adorning the top and bottom of the case have been enlarged to enhance the play of light between the satin-finished and polished surfaces, further emphasising the slender aesthetic of the design. For its part, the caseback has been slightly more integrated into the case middle to sit more comfortably on the wrist.
The finesse of this new case design continues onto the integrated bracelet with the first four links that are now trapezoid in shape and no longer parallel. This more pronounced decrease in thickness brings forward the bracelet’s taper for more visual appeal. Furthermore, the links are thinner throughout the bracelet, and therefore lighter, offering added comfort and optimum ergonomics.
These three timepieces present the new design evolution, smaller case sizes, elegant smoked blue tapisserie dials and baguette diamond indexes and bezels for a new interpretation of this sought-after model.
“Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.”
Technical Specifications
Royal Oak Selfwinding / 34 mm
Ref. 77451BC.ZZ.1261BC.01
Functions
- Hours, minutes, centre seconds and date.
Case
- 18-carat white gold case, bezel set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, water-resistant to 50 m.
- Case thickness: 8.8 mm
Dial
- Smoked blue dial with Grande Tapisserie pattern, baguette-cut diamond hour-markers, white gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
Bracelet
- 18-carat white gold bracelet with AP folding clasp.
Movement specifications
- Selfwinding Calibre 5800
- Total diameter 23.9 mm (10 ½ lignes)
- Total thickness 4 mm
- Number of jewels 28
- Number of parts 186
- Minimum power reserve guaranteed 50 h
- Frequency of balance wheel 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
Royal Oak Selfwinding / 37 mm
Ref. 15551BC.ZZ.1356BC.01
Functions
- Hours, minutes, centre seconds and date.
Case
- 18-carat white gold case, bezel set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, water-resistant to 50 m.
- Case thickness: 9.4 mm
Dial
- Smoked blue dial with Grande Tapisserie pattern, baguette-cut diamond hour-markers, white gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
Bracelet
- 18-carat white gold bracelet with AP folding clasp.
Movement specifications
- Selfwinding Calibre 5900
- Total diameter 26.2 mm (11 ½ lignes)
- Total thickness 4 mm
- Number of jewels 29
- Number of parts 186
- Minimum power reserve guaranteed 60 h
- Frequency of balance wheel 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph / 38 mm
Ref. 26715BC.ZZ.1356BC.01
Functions
- Chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.
Case
- 18-carat white gold case, bezel set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds, glareproofed sapphire crystal, screw-locked crown, water-resistant to 50 m.
- Case thickness: 11 mm
Dial
- Smoked blue dial with Grande Tapisserie pattern, blue counters and external zones, baguette-cut diamond hour-markers, white gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
Bracelet
- 18-carat white gold bracelet with AP folding clasp.
Movement specifications
- Selfwinding Calibre 2385
- Total diameter 26.2 mm (11 ½ lignes)
- Total thickness 5.5 mm
- Number of jewels 37
- Number of parts 304
- Minimum power reserve guaranteed 40 h
- Frequency of balance wheel 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
