Just because it's Valentine's Day, we bring you a very special women's watch that could be the dream gift for that special lady in your life. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold is available in two sizes —33 mm and 37 mm— and in 18K rose gold or 18K white gold. Officially presented at the SIHH 2017 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of the ladies Royal Oak —Jacqueline Dimier transferred Genta's design to a ladies version—, this is a shining reinvention of an iconic design. A collaboration with Florentine jewellery designer, Carolina Bucci, the Royal Oak Frosted Gold features a case and bracelet finish unlike any other watch in the industry. While the 33 mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold is powered by the quartz AP quartz calibre 2713, its 37 mm counterpart is powered by the automatic AP calibre 3120. The references are as follows: 33 mm 18K white gold ref. 67653BC.GG.1263BC.01, 33 mm 18K rose gold ref. 67653OR.GG.1263OR.01; 37 mm 18K rose gold ref. 15454OR.GG.1259OR.01 and 37 mm 18K white gold ref. 15454BC.GG.1259BC.01. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold is exclusively available at the Audemars Piguet Boutiques.

The Case

The launch of the Royal Oak Frosted Gold enriches Audemars Piguet’s tradition of experimenting with jewellery techniques. The 33 mm or 37 mm case in 18K rose gold or 18K white gold features a shimmering sparkle that from afar looks like the watch is covered with diamonds in a snow setting; however, upon close examination, the finish of the watch looks very velvety and similar to the texture on reindeer antlers. This frosted treatment is obtained through a surface treatment process rooted in an ancient gold hammering technique, also called the Florentine technique. Carolina Bucci has reinterpreted this technique in jewellery design today while Audemars Piguet’s experts developed it into a horological craft suited to the unique case and bracelet construction of the Royal Oak.

The Bracelet

The main challenge for Audemars Piguet’s craftsmen was to apply this surface treatment technique across the case and bracelet of the watch without altering the clean lines that define the Royal Oak’s form. It took months of trial and error between Bucci’s Florentine craftsmen and Audemars Piguet’s manufacture to alter the surface of the gold in such a way that it sparkles when catching the light, while retaining the softness and flexibility of the Royal Oak’s bracelet. It is a very delicate alchemy to operate: nothing is added, nothing is removed, but the watch is transformed. In person, this finish is a true work of art and something that is hard to capture and transmit with live pictures no matter how good ours are.

On the Wrist & Pricing

On the wrist, the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold —whether in 33 mm or 37 mm— wears true to its size. The wrist presence is very unique and definitely a watch that reserved for special occasions like today. This watch received such a positive reaction from the press and clients during the SIHH 2017, that we are confident that AP will release it in a 41 mm size in the near future. For now, Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Sticker Price $51,400 USD 37 mm 18K rose gold ref. 15454OR; $56,900 USD 37 mm 18K white gold ref. 15454BC; $41,500 USD 33 mm 18K rose gold ref. 67653OR and $47,000 USD 33 mm 18K white gold ref. 67653BC. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.