Only eleven years after the launch of the Royal Oak in 1972, the brand was already making history by releasing the iconic watch Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar complication. Fitted at the time with a 39 mm case—like the original Royal Oak 'Jumbo'—and powered by the automatic calibre 2120/2800, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar has seen many variations, limited editions, and case sizes throughout its history.
Posts filed under Audemars Piguet
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26674. New Calibre 7138 with All-Crown-Adjustments.
As part of its 150th Anniversary celebrations, Audemars Piguet introduces the new calibre 7138 to the Royal Oak collection and its perpetual calendars. The brand honors its legacy while embracing innovation, and reimagined the perpetual calendar with a focus on ergonomics.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 150th Anniversary. Inspired Legendary 20th Anniversary Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Pocket Watch.
To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Audemars Piguet draws inspiration from the legendary Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Pocket Watch in platinum that was presented in 1992 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak. The aforementioned pocket watch reference 25729PT was presented in platinum with a case size of 47 mm, a skeletonized dial, and powered by the ultra-thin manual wound calibre 5020, which in the case of this pocket watch, was fully skeletonized and hand engraved.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 1017 ALYX 9SM. A 76-piece Limited Edition.
The minimalistic all 18K white gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 1017 ALYX 9SM ref. 26238BC.OO.2000BC.01 was released at the end of 2023 as the result of a collaboration between AP and designer Matthew Williams. At the time, four watches and a unique piece —a two-tone Royal Oak Chrono 41 mm ref. Ref. 26240SA.OO.1320SA.01— were released under the 1017 ALYX 9SM collaboration label
From the Editor: Yoon Ahn Founder of Ambush Leaks AP Royal Oak Extra-Thin 'Jumbo' X KAWS
As I was going through my Instagram this morning, I found a repost from KAWS of an image posted by Yoon Ahn the founder of fashion brand Ambush Design Company. The picture shows what appears to be a special Royal Oak Extra-Thin ‘Jumbo’ ref. 16202BA or 16202OR in collaboration with KAWS.
If I had any respect left for Audemars Piguet, now it is gone.
From the Editor: My Honest Thoughts on the Audemars Piguet X KAWS Tourbillon 'Companion'
First of all, I won’t continue to beat a dead horse with this editorial while I express my honest thoughts on the just released Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' X KAWS. By now, my perspective on Audemars Piguet as a watch brand and on the course it has taken in the last three years has not changed. Where I feel the brand is today is something I never expected after becoming a hardcore lover of all things AP and a real AP collector in 1998.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' X KAWS
Continuing with their recent collaborations and their involvement with artists and celebrities, Audemars Piguet presents a new watch in collaboration with the artist KAWS. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' X KAWS reference 26656TI.GG.D019VE.01 reinforces Audemars Piguet’s curiosity and ongoing dialogue with the cultural world.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked White Ceramic ref. 15416CB
Released in 2020 in black ceramic, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Open-worked now comes in a special edition in white ceramic as ref. 15416CB.OO.1225CB.01 and in a limited edition of 30 pieces. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Open-worked White Ceramic ref. 15416CB is fitted with a rhodium-toned open-worked dial with a blue balance bridge, blue hands, and a blue aventurine inner flange that provides a striking contrast.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Arabic Markers
Produced after the prototype that was released in 2018, the Royal Oak RD#2, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Ultra-Thin ref. 26586 is the thinnest perpetual calendar in the market at 6.2 mm in thickness. Available in titanium or 18K yellow gold —both with a smooth vertical satin-brushed dial instead of the usual tapisserie dial—, now comes a new iteration of this reference.
Experience: The AP House Mexico City CDMX. A Sanctuary for AP Lovers and Best Terrace in Polanco.
It’s been a while since we’ve written about Audemars Piguet considering all that has been going on with the brand, its allocation practices, and its nouveau riche clientele. However, during our last visit to Mexico City CDMX during the week of the SIAR 2024 —Salón Internacional de Alta Relojería— we were invited by our dear friends at Berger Joyeros who run the AP House for Mexico City.
Introducing: Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 Secrets Timepiece in Platinum with More Than a 1,000 Diamonds
With a new interpretation of the High Jewellery 101 Secrets watch in Platinum 950, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to enrich the Calibre 101 collection. First presented in 2023 in diamond-set 18K pink gold, the 101 Secrets timepiece required hundreds of hours of research to create an entirely new design.
Experience: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Schiphol Airport Edition and a AP Royal Oak Extra-Thin 15202OR
Landing at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is always a treat if you like the finer things in life as much as we do. After a long-haul flight on KLM's World Business Class, the perfect way to start your day on the other side of the pond is by enjoying all that this airport has to offer. Schiphol is without a doubt, one of our favorite airports in the world and one that truly offers a great experience if you enjoy the good life.
Experience: Explaining The Art of Sabrage. The Finest Champagne Ritual.
Whether it’s a special afternoon ritual at one of the St. Regis hotels, Napoleon’s way to celebrate a victory on the battlefield, or simply the coolest way to open a bottle of champagne, that’s exactly what the art of sabrage is about. Sabrage refers to the act of opening a bottle of champagne by sliding a saber over its neck. Now, while many believe that the saber slices the neck of the bottle or pushes the cork out, what in reality happens is that the slight impact of the saber on the seam of the bottle creates a chain reaction that makes the bottle release its pressure by breaking its top cork included.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Pink-Gold Toned ref. 15407ST
The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Pink Gold-toned iteration of ref.15407ST.OO.1220ST.02 contrasts a 41 mm stainless steel case with a pink-gold-toned open-worked movement and matching inner bezel for a contemporary two-tone aesthetic. The pink gold screws on the bezel add the finishing touch to mark the importance of this new edition. This is also the very first time that the hex bolts on a Royal Oak in stainless steel are made of pink gold instead of white gold.
Eye Candy: A Match Made in Heaven with a Porsche 911 Carrera S and an AP Royal Oak Offshore RubberClad
In the past, we've also featured a Porsche 911 Carrera S in the company of a Richard Mille RM015 Le Mans Classic here. This time, we bring you what we think is one of the best matches between a car and a watch, what we like to call a 'match made in heaven'. The Porsche 911 Carrera S a.k.a. 991 is one of those cars that exudes power whichever way you look at it and what better match to it than a discontinued Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad ref. 25940OK.OO.D002CA.02.
Experience: Auer Amandes Princesses. The World's Best Chocolate-Covered Almonds from Genève.
If you are a regular traveler to Genève, Switzerland, you already know that a trip to Geneva is never complete unless you’ve stopped at Auer Chocolatier near the Place du Molard. Auer Chocolatier was founded in 1939 and is located on Rue de Rive 4. This five-generation family-owned chocolate maker is best known for their legendary ‘Amandes Princesses’ —princess almonds— that we can only describe as the world’s best chocolate-covered almonds.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet [RE]Master02 Selfwinding. A Tribute to Brutalism.
Following the footsteps of the [RE]Master01, launched in 2020 reinterpreting a rare chronograph from 1943, Audemars Piguet now presents a new limited edition within the [RE]Master series. The new Audemars Piguet [RE]Master02 ref. 15240SG is a tribute to ‘Brutalism’ in a 250-piece limited edition inspired by the reference 5159BA from 1960.
From the Editor: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ladies Quartz ref. 66270. What the New Mini Royal Oak Should've Been.
Today, Audemars Piguet presented a new version of the Royal Oak named the Mini in a 23 mm size and referred to it as a ‘comeback’. In AP’s words: “A glowing come back for the mighty Mini Royal Oak, offered for the first time in a 23 mm diameter and executed in a choice of 18-carat yellow, white or pink Frosted gold.” In reality, not really a comeback. If it’s a real comeback, it cannot be referred to as: “the first time for this size.” Not sure who’s now in charge of marketing at Audemars Piguet but they need to hire some new copywriters and quit being a one-trick pony.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon Openworked 'Sand Gold'. A Totally New Alloy that Plays with Light.
First released in 2022 for the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, calibre 2972 combines an automatic mechanism with a flying tourbillon. Now a new iteration comes as the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked ‘Sand Gold’ ref. 26735SG.OO.1320SG.01 in 41 mm which introduces the very first timepiece crafted in ‘Sand gold’, a new 18K gold alloy developed by Audemars Piguet conferring rich plays of light.
From the Editor: Royal Oak Perpetual Cactus Jack Solidifies AP's Status as Brand for 'Nouveau Riche'
Following the steps of brands like Hublot and with François-Henry Bennahmias’ —AP’s CEO— obsession with celebrities and aspirations to become one himself, what used to be one of my favorite luxury watch brands has finally lost all its allure and value, at least for me. The old classics will remain as icons in my book, but when it comes to their latest watches, all I see is a decline in AP’s brand equity, and I am not sure how much more it will endure.
