Continuing with our coverage of the new models celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak, we bring you the three new models of its 41 mm Royal Oak Automatic Flying Tourbillon. Available in stainless steel, titanium, and in 18K pink gold, these new models add to the first three unveiled in 2020 and present the design evolution developed for this jubilee year. All three are equipped with the calibre 2950, an automatic movement combining a flying tourbillon with a central rotor.
The cases and bracelets of these three new references have wider bevels, thus highlighting the play of light between the satin-finished and polished surfaces adorning the various components. To further accentuate the watch’s slenderness, the first links of the integrated bracelet display decreasing thickness for a better visual effect and a light and comfortable wear. The sapphire caseback is slightly embedded in the case middle in order for the watch to sit better on the wrist.
The proportions of the white or pink gold hour markers and hands, filled with a luminescent substance for improved legibility in the dark, have also been standardized based on the different diameters of the Royal Oak collection. These three new tourbillons also feature the new applied gold Audemars Piguet signature. Made of thin layers of 24K gold that is obtained by galvanic growth —a chemical process similar to 3D printing— each letter is connected to the others by thin links that are almost invisible to the naked eye. The signature, originally developed for the lacquered dials of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection, is then hand-applied to the dial using tiny legs.
While the stainless steel version reference 26730ST.OO.1320ST.01 has a smoked blue Grande Tapisserie dial for a refined effect. The new blue tones add depth to the flying tourbillon while providing an elegant backdrop for the white gold hands and hour-markers. Made entirely of 18K pink gold, the second model reference 26730OR.OO.1320OR.01 is also adorned with a Grande Tapisserie dial in the same smoked blue as the steel model. The pink gold hands and hour-markers illuminate the dial while coordinating with the case and bracelet. The flying tourbillon cage adds a subtle sparkle to the pink gold-tone. Lastly, the titanium reference 26730TI.OO.1320TI.01 features an elegant blue sandblasted dial that offers an alternative to the traditional Tapisserie motif that has become the hallmark of the Royal Oak. These deep shades are contrasted by white gold hands and hour-markers that subtly echo the flying tourbillon located at 6 o’clock.
Visible both on the dial and through the sapphire case back, the flying tourbillon cage decorated with refined finishing offers an unobstructed view of some of the watch’s regulating components. The case back also highlights the movement’s refined decorations such as satin-finishing, snailing, hand-polished chamfers, and Côtes de Genève which are now straight and no longer in rays as on the 2020 models where they recalled the sunburst Tapisserie pattern adorning the dial.
The three Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillons are fitted with a 22K pink gold oscillating weight —rhodium-toned on the stainless steel and titanium models— specially developed to celebrate the Royal Oak’s anniversary. It features the “50-years” logo and has the Audemars Piguet signature engraved on its surface. For the occasion, the color of the oscillating weight has also been matched to the color of the case and features similar polished and satin-finished surfaces.
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