2015 will be a rich year for Italy and it will be even more so for Milan, the host city for the World's Exhibition Expo 2015 taking place from May 1st thru October 31st. As a Tribute to Italy, Audemars Piguet presents the Royal Oak Chronograph Limited Edition ref. 26326ST.OO.D027CA.01 in a 500-piece limited edition. An occasion not to be missed, has been seized by the manufacture from Le Brassus, creating this special limited edition of the Royal Oak Chronograph in stainless steel. The Italian touch is found in the details, such as the indices on the 30-minute counter; which borrow the iconic green, red and white of the Italian flag. Other special features not to be missed include the case back that bears the engraving “Swiss Made Limited Edition” and a rubber strap that is truly unique. In fact, in the past, a Royal Oak Chronograph —the City of Sails limited edition created in 2002— was the only watch to feature this material on its strap. The decidedly modern dimensions of the 41 mm stainless steel case conserve all the characteristics that made the Royal Oak a watchmaking legend. Fitted with a silvered dial with 'grande tapisserie' with blue counters, the 30-minute counter features a green accent at the 20-minute mark, a white one at the 30-minute and a red one at the 10-minute mark. The dial features applied white gold hour-markers and white gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating and a blue outer minute track zone.
Audemars Piguet crafts the 'tapisserie' motif on antique machines according to the arabesque-making technique. This rare manufacturing process, which Audemars Piguet is proud to master and use, allows the cut of the dial and the mesh structure of the inserted slim grooves to be produced simultaneously. The overlay of the two decorations, characteristic of the Royal Oak, lends the dial a unique brilliance. The watch, available in a limited edition of 500 pieces, will also include a hand-stitched large square scale blue alligator strap inside its presentation box. Specially made, the box features a metal plate that reproduces the watch's case back with the colors of the Italian flag.
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