Home » The Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie » SIHH 2012 Preview: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 40th Anniversary Watch
Preparing for the big anniversary – 40 years since the very first Royal Oak had made a big shift in the luxury watchmaking by offering a radically new approach in terms of design and style, Audemars Piguet announced the Special Edition of new Royal Oak. Limited to 40 pieces, this striking skeletonized edition with a strong signature of the brand’s iconic sport collection will be officially unveiled in January 2012, at SIHH Watch Show in Geneva.
Just like the first Royal Oak from 1972 that incorporated one of the world’s thinnest automatic mechanisms (3.05 mm thick), famous Calibre 2121, the new Audemars Piguet’s model is also powered by a technological masterpiece, a ultra-thin self-winding Calibre 5122.
Being totally exposed through the sapphire crystal front of the watch, this openworked mechanism also testifies about the highest designer’s skills. Its monobloc oscillating weight which is completely crafted in 22 karat gold features the raised inscription “AP Royal Oak 1972-2012″, as well as a “tapiserie” motif that beautifies its external part.
The anthracite color of the mechanism is achieved by a galvanic treatment, while all finishing operations on the bridges and on the main plate (polishing, satin-brushing, circular-graining, circular satin-brushing and drawn flanks) are done by hand. The Calibre 5122 is made of 247 components. It comprises 36 jewels and has a power reserve of 40 hours.
New Platinum Case
Although the Royal Oak became famous as the first high-end steel sports watch in due style, new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 40th Anniversary Watch comes in 950 platinum. Despite this important difference, the other segments of the watch nicely reflect the powerful design of its origins.
Firstly, there is an octagonal bezel and its eight polished hexagonal screws (made from white gold). A platinum bracelet, composed of non-identical links arranged by the decreasing order of size, is nicely integrated in the case. It incorporates a new folding clasp, with a double safety fastening system.
The Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak 40th Anniversary Watch has the diameter of 39 mm which is exactly the same size of the brand’s icon. Naturally, since it is skeletonized, the dial is less visible than previous models, but still, white gold applied hour markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating increase the readability of the dial. The sapphire date disc with black numerals displays the exact date through the window at the 3 o’clock position. There is no doubt that the new Audemars Piguet’s masterpiece will be a highly sought-after item among the passionate lovers of the Swiss luxury brand.
