The dial on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the most iconic dials in the watch world and there is more than meets the eye to its making and different textures. Audemars Piguet released the Royal Oak in 1972 with a dial featuring a ‘Clous de Paris’ guilloché motif that is referred to by AP as ‘petite tapisserie’. Then in 1993, the Royal Oak Offshore was released with a similar type of tapisserie but there are small nuances between the two and the rest of Royal Oaks and Royal Oak Offshores out there.
Posts tagged #Royal Oak 15400
Insider: Understanding the Different Types of Audemars Piguet Tapisseries and How They're Done
We often run into watch collectors that frequently mistaken one type of Audemars Piguet tapisserie for another. Even though we have explained this topic in the past, we decided to to a revised post with more images and further explanation on the matter. While many know their names, few know the real difference between them. Additionally, many don't know how these dials are done and which models feature a stamped dial plate versus a rose engine machines one. The iconic 'Clous de Paris' guilloché pattern on the Royal Oak dials and Royal Oak Offshores is one of the most unmistakable elements of their design.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400ST Grey Ruthenium Toned Dial. Hands-on with the Latest 41 mm Royal Oak.
The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400ST.OO.1220ST.04 is the latest 41 mm Royal Oak released earlier this year with a fantastic grey ruthenium toned dial. This reference is a clear result of the continuous evolution of the Royal Oak and the manufacture's constant forward thinking. Since its launch in 1972, the Royal Oak has gone through several design modifications and the ref. 15400 with this new grey dial is simply perfect. With this new dial, the Royal Oak ref. 15400ST is now available in four different dial variants that include blue, silvered white, black and this new one.
Macros: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore Dials. The Different Types of Tapisseries.
We often run into watchlifestylers that are curious about the differences between the different types of 'tapisseries' on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore dials. While many know their names, few know the difference between them. Now, how does Audemars Piguet create these iconic 'Clous de Paris' guilloché pattern dials?
The brass dial is engraved by a burin —a precision metalwork chisel— that reproduces the motif on a disc attached to the machine, like a pantograph. A pointer rotates across the disc from the periphery to the center. The system is combined with a tool that forms the little lozenges between the pyramidal squares and takes between 20 and 50 minutes, depending on the dial's diameter. It's a delicate operation. A mere skip is all it takes to damage the piece as the slightest impact is as visible as dust on a mirror. Here's a video courtesy of Audemars Piguet showing the work to create one of these iconic dials.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400. The Largest Royal Oak Ever Made.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400 is the largest Royal Oak ever made with an over-sized case with a diameter of 41 mm. This fantastic reference —also available in rose gold— is a clear result of the continuous evolution of the Royal Oak and the manufacture's constant forward thinking.
Since its launch in 1972, the Royal Oak has gone through several design modifications including at least 12 references in 39mm, 12 in 36mm, 15 in 33 mm and even a rectangular Royal Oak ref. 6005. Today, the Royal Oak continues to embrace its core values just like it did 40 years ago regardless of its size. For some Royal Oak purists, bigger means betraying the original Jumbo. We have to admit that it took us a good year and months to come around; however, we can say with confidence that ref. 15400 is just as good.
