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The Royal Oak turns 40 in 2012. This spectacularly non-conformist watch, consistently ahead of its time, has made a profound and enduring impact on the history of Audemars Piguet. As the first ever luxury sports watch, the Royal Oak has become a legend. To celebrate this anniversary as it rightly deserves, the Manufacture in Le Brassus is unveiling the Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon, a variation combining horological complexity, modern styling and a sporting temperament. In light of its exceptional nature, this platinum anniversary edition is issued in a 40-piece limited series.

A closer look at the Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbilllon reveals that it epitomises the history of this legendary collection as well as that of Audemars Piguet itself, and of the countless skills cultivated within the Manufacture. As a specialist of extra-thin movements, Audemars Piguet naturally chose this horological “complication” to equip the first Royal Oak in 1972. The famous Calibre 2121, one of the world’s thinnest mechanical selfwinding movements at just 3.05 mm thick, thus became the beating heart of the very first versions of the Royal Oak. While the first representative of this lineage displayed the hours, minutes, seconds and date, the latest features an openworked movement that is still extra-thin but has been given a highly contemporary treatment and endowed with a tourbillon – the most emblematic of all horological complications. In addition to this tourbillon, which serves as a reminder that in 1986 the Manufacture Audemars Piguet was the first to incorporate a tourbillon within a wristwatch – a speciality now offered by every single Fine Watchmaking brand – the Royal Oak Anniversary model also displays the hours and minutes on the dial side and a power-reserve indicator on the back of the movement.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first high-end steel watch in due style, the Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon model introduced in 2012 naturally reflects the powerful aesthetic codes that have contributed to the lasting impression on collective memory that has been made by this collection. These notably include the octagonal bezel and its eight polished hexagonal screws – still made of white gold – secured on the back by eight bolts. Between the bezel and the case, the visible gasket inspired by historical diver’s helmets remains a distinctive characteristic of this collection. Moreover, the Royal Oak also owes its reputation to its case seamlessly integrated – a rare occurrence in 1972 – with a tapering-type bracelet composed of non-identical links arranged in diminishing order. These signature features that have been an integral part of the collection since its origins continue to appear in all the contemporary Royal Oak models, including of course the Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon watch.

This anniversary piece made in platinum comes in a 41 mm-diameter case, the first of its size within the Royal Oak range. It houses the new Calibre 2924, an extra-thin (4.46 mm) manual winding tourbillon movement entirely designed, developed and produced by the Manufacture Audemars Piguet. One of the thinnest tourbillon movements on the market, it has a 70-hour power reserve and a frequency of 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz). This openworked version renews the genre through its contemporary design, notably revealing its depth thanks to the anthracite treatment creating a pleasing contrast with the grey of the steel parts and the yellow gold of the barrel, the gear trains and the balance. The entirely hand-crafted openworking of this ultra-thin movement calls for exceptional expertise and proven experience. Over 110 interior angles – which can only be crafted by hand – reveal the added value embodied in this anniversary model.

The platinum case of the Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon model is water-resistant to 50 metres and fitted with a glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, thus revealing all the finer details and decorations of the movement. The skeletonised slate grey dial is enhanced by Royal Oak hands and hour-markers in white gold with a luminescent coating.

The Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon model reinterprets the original codes and values of the collection, while effectively transcending them. This engraved and numbered model bearing a legendary history is issued in a 40-piece limited series.


MOVEMENT
- Manufacture Calibre 2924, manual winding
- Total diameter: 31.50 mm (14 lignes)
- Thickness: 4.46 mm
- 25 jewels
- 216 parts
- Minimal power reserve: approx. 70 hours
- Cadence of balance: 21,600 vibrations/hour

CASE
-950 platinum case (41 mm), glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback
-Water-resistant to 50 m

DIAL
- Openworked slate grey dial, white gold applied hour-markers
- Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating

BRACELET
- 950 platinum bracelet with AP folding clasp

FUNCTION
- Hours, minutes
- Power reserve

REFERENCE
26511PT.OO.1220PT.01


Original language: English
Langue d'origine : Anglais