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.
Posts filed under Audemars Piguet
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.
From the Editor: My Thoughts on the AP Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Spider-Man'. Don't Want to Miss This One.
When I thought I had seen it all with the release of the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon ‘Black Panther’ in 2021, I was definitely wrong. You can read my thoughts on that particular release here. Now, let me share my thoughts about what I consider to be the lowest any luxury brand could hit, let alone a brand like Audemars Piguet that I’ve been buying since 1998. How can you be part of the ‘Holy Trinity of Watchmaking’ when you release such a watch?
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 43 ref. 26420CE. Let's Nickname it 'The John Player Special'.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore and AP has decided to celebrate with a few new releases in the collection. After the great release of the all-black all ceramic Royal Oak Offshore 42 reference 26238CE.OO.1300CE.01. we published here yesterday, now comes a new version of the Royal Oak Offshore 43 mm reference 26420CE.OO.A127CR.01 also cloaked in an all-black ceramic case but with 18K yellow gold accents on its strap plots, crown guards, and dial.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore All Black Ceramic ref. 26238CE
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore and AP has decided to celebrate with a few new releases in the collection. One of them and our favorite so far is the all-black all ceramic Royal Oak Offshore reference 26238CE.OO.1300CE.01. A watch that is very reminiscent of the ‘End of Days’ with its all-black cloak.
From the Editor: My Search for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 25854TI is Finally Over. Detailed Explanation of this Reference.
There are a number of words and phrases that would come to mind whenever I thought about finding one of my all-time grails, the titanium Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 25854TI.OO.1150TI.01. A range of adjectives describing this watch that go all the way from understated luxury to ultra cool sportiness, a Neo-vintage watch grail, pure watch badassery for those that really know, the ultimate FU watch, but most definitely, the words that would always come to mind, would be: a grand complication by Audemars Piguet for those that want the sportiest look possible in a very understated way.
From the Editor: Fourth Generation of Royal Oak Offshore Rubberclad Quietly Reintroduced by AP after 9 Years of Discontinuation. In-Depth History and Explanation of this Iconic Watch.
The iconic and legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubberclad ref. 25940 needs very little introduction and is for sure one of those watches that is worth explaining in-depth, especially since it marks the first use of rubber as a main component in the watch industry. The AP Rubberclad is a watch that we've seen on the wrists of dozen of celebrities and AP lovers and a watch that is living testament of the continued innovation that AP has brought to the watch industry since the launch of the Royal Oak in 1972. A few months ago, Audemars Piguet quietly reintroduced the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubberclad under reference 26238OK.OO.A002CA.01.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Starwheel
One of our favorite complications is being brought back by Audemars Piguet to the Code 11.59 collection. The new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Starwheel ref. 15212NB.OO.A002KB.01 revisits the tradition of wandering hours with a new ultra-contemporary timepiece that combines black ceramic with 18K white gold. Invented in 1655 thanks to a request by Pope Alexander VII, who suffered from insomnia that was exacerbated by the ticking of his clock, the wandering hours complication was rediscovered by Audemars Piguet in 1991.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT Green Ceramic
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT gets a green ceramic new look. With its asymmetric look and contemporary architecture, the first AP Royal Oak Concept was launched in 2002 as ref. 25980AI.OO.0003SU.01 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the launch of the iconic Royal Oak in a limited edition of 150 pieces. Then in 2011, AP launched the first Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon ref. 26560IO.OO.D002CA.01 which you can read about here.
Watch Goodies: 'Royal Oak: From Iconoclast to Icon' Supersized Book by Assouline. The Most Epic Book of All Things Royal Oak.
The most incredible Royal Oak book we’ve ever seen, sits at the AP House in New York City. Published by Assouline, the book named ‘Royal Oak: From Iconoclast to Icon’ was produced in collaboration with Audemars Piguet and written by Bill Prince, an award-winning journalist and an expert on luxury, culture, men’s style and watches.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono Black Ceramic 50th Anniversary ref. 26240CE
Today, silently without any press release, Audemars Piguet adds up a black full ceramic Royal Oak Chrono ref. 26240CE.OO.1225CE.01. This all-black 41 mm Royal Oak Chronograph fully crafted in black ceramic and contrasted with subtle pink gold accents is endowed with the collection’s latest design evolution and “50-year” anniversary oscillating weight.
From the Editor: Here's Why I am Done Buying Any More Watches. Most Likely Forever.
It’s been a while since I started doing my own introspection about watch collecting and with the current state of the industry, I have finally reached a point where I get very little pleasure out of buying a new watch, whatever that ends up being. I’ve been collecting watches for the last 32 years and I’ve owned almost everything that I never even imagined I would own one day.
Experience: Macán Rothschild Vega Sicilia. An Understated Wine Like a Platinum Offshore.
Much like watches, some amazing wines are not necessarily those that everyone knows and only those that really know will recognize certain names, just like they’ll point out watch references or the metal composition of certain particular timepieces. When it comes to the AP Royal Oak Offshore 44 in platinum, only if you really know, you’ll be able to call out its platinum nature and the same happens with the Macán wine by Vega Sicilia.
Watch Goodies: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Wall Clock. The Ultimate Objet d'Art.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Wall Clock is the ultimate watch goody and one of the most coveted clocks out there. Released by AP as a super-sized version of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574 in stainless steel with a silvered dial, this amazing clock features a stainless steel case measuring 16 inches —40 centimeters— in diameter and 3.5 inches —8.9 centimeters— in thickness. This clock also features a very complex quartz mechanism that controls all the perpetual calendar indications as well as a secondary mechanism that controls the time-keeping function.
From the Editor: Here's Why I Dislike the New AP Royal Oak Offshore Music Edition Models
First let me say that you all know how much I love Audemars Piguet, the Royal Oak, the Royal Oak Offshore, and music, especially EDM. I’ve spent countless hours spotting watches on the wrists of famous DJs like Afrojack, Steve Angello, Avicci, Cedric Gervais, and Tiësto, and one thing they all had in common is their choice for an Audemars Piguet watch, mostly Royal Oak Offshores. However, I doubt that any of these DJs will be sporting the new Royal Oak Music Edition watches any time soon.
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono 'City of Sails' Rose Gold
When you think of Audemars Piguet rare birds of course WCL is the premier destination to find that content you can’t find elsewhere. Since we typically feature the most sought-after APs and some of the rarest limited editions out there, why not talk about the Royal Oak Chronograph ‘City Of Sails’ in 18K rose gold ref. 25979OR.0.0002CA.01 released in a limited edition of 200 pieces.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Carolina Bucci Limited Edition. Black Ceramic Case with Rainbow Dial.
Audemars Piguet is proud to present a new limited edition 34 mm Royal Oak in black ceramic. This timepiece is the fruit of the latest collaboration between AP and Carolina Bucci. In celebration of the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, the Italian jewelry designer has created a dial endowed with a unique multi-colored mirror effect paying tribute to the iconic Tapisserie design. The result is as unexpected as it is elegant. This limited edition is designed for both men and women and is available exclusively in Audemars Piguet boutiques and AP Houses.
Photo Report: Opening of the AP House New York & The Royal Oak 50th Anniversary Capsule Experience
Yesterday May 20, 2022, we were in NYC for the opening of the new AP House in the Meatpacking District. This is not only the first AP House to open in the United States, but it is also part of the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the Royal Oak. Making the Park Hyatt New York our home away from home was the first stop for an incredible Friday in the company of our friends at Audemars Piguet.
Breaking News: Gérald Genta's Personal Royal Oak Sells in Excess of $2.1 Million USD at Sotheby's
Today May 10th, 2022 Gérald Genta’s very own Royal Oak broke the record set by the Royal Oak ref. 5402 with case No. 2, that sold for CHF 1,058,500 —approx $1,060,000 USD— at the Phillips Royal Oak 50th Sale this past weekend . Genta’s very own Royal Oak ref. 5402ST, a C-series stainless steel watch with an 18K yellow gold bezel bearing case number 1556 hammered at CHF 2,107,000 Swiss Francs —approx $2,170,000 USD— at the Sotheby’s Important Watches Auction in Geneva.
From the Editor: Phillips Royal Oak 50th Sale Results. Here are the Top Lots and My Opinion.
Not sure what to think anymore about the watch market and the results of the watch auctions. I’ve been trying to understand what’s going on for several years now and the results from auctions are always very surprising but not necessary the best indicator of what’s going on. While I see trends after reviewing the results of the auctions, I also see some inconsistencies where is hard for me to understand why certain time/date watches would fetch more than Grand Complications.
