Posts filed under Audemars Piguet

Eye Candy: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph ref. 26703ST. A Very Colorful Yellow and Black Diving Watch.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph ref. 26703ST was launched two years ago and despite its lack of popularity among the Offshore collection we think that is a great looking watch that breaks with the monochromatic lines of the usual Offshore Diver. While adding a chronograph function to the movement and ceramic crowns/pushers made the watch more expensive —higher than the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph— and less of the usual Diving watch, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver ref. 26703ST.OO.A051CA.01 still remains a true diver's watch thanks to its ISO 6425 certification and its water resistance to a depth of 300 meters.

From the Editor: My Thoughts on The Phillips Watches Article on Emmanuel Gueit's Royal Oak Offshore 'The Beast'. Clearing up the Inaccuracies Stated by its Writer.

Yesterday October 4th, 2018, Phillips Watches published an article written by Arthur Touchot about the Royal Oak Offshore ‘The Beast’ belonging to designer Emmanuel Gueit. This watch with case number No. 39 will be offered by Phillips in their upcoming Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT taking place at the Hotel La Reserve, in Geneva, on November 10th and 11th. As you guys know, a couple of years ago, I published a very comprehensive guide explaining everything there is to know about this very first Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721ST ‘The Beast’ —you can read my article here

News: Audemars Piguet Launches the Carolina Bucci Royal Oak Frosted Gold Limited Edition. A 300-Piece Edition with a Silver-Toned Mirror Finished Dial.

The creative partnership of Audemars Piguet and Italian jewellery designer Carolina Bucci delivers another surprise with this eponymous 37mm limited edition Royal Oak in 18K yellow gold. The shiny, silver-toned mirror dial framed with the shimmering sparkle of a Frosted Gold case and bracelet takes the center stage as it replaces the traditional tapisserie. Described by its designer as ‘rebellious’ in character, this is an attention-grabbing piece, especially made in the image of today’s woman. A woman that is spontaneous, true to life and totally unapologetic.

Breaking News: Audemars Piguet Also Pulls Out of the SIHH After 2019. Following the Decision Made by Richard Mille.

Following the news we just brought you right here about Richard Mille pulling out of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie after 2019, in an unexpected move, we just received a press release from Audemars Piguet confirming that they are also pulling out after 2019 and ceasing their collaboration with the SIHH. The press release reads:

Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Schumacher Rose Gold Limited Edition ref. 26568OM. The Second and Last AP Watch with a Cermet Bezel.

t's been almost five years since the freak skiing accident that put Michael Schumacher in a coma on December 29th, 2013. While today we don't know much about Schumacher's condition, other than he was out of the come a year after his accident, the one thing we know is that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'Schumi' is the best and nicest limited edition watch to ever honor one of the greatest Formula One drivers that has ever lived. Available in Titanium, 18K Rose Gold and Platinum, this limited edition along with the Rubens Barrichello —titanium model here, rose gold model here and the platinum model here— are two of the most coveted AP Offshores of all time.

Eye Candy: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono Titanium with Platinum ref. 26331IP. One of the Most Beautiful Bi-Metal Royal Oaks.

Released in 2017 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono, reference 26331IP.OO.1220IP.01 is the ultimate bi-metal Royal Oak. Showcasing a combination of finishes, this Royal Oak Chronograph in Titanium and Platinum features a 41 mm titanium case with highly polished 950 platinum bezel and highly polished 950 platinum middle links on its bracelet.

Experience: Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial. The Only Champagne to be Served Over Ice.

Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial is still a relatively new champagne launched a few years ago but one that have not gotten as popular in the U.S. as it is in the rest of the world. This is the first and only champagne especially created to be served over ice. Refreshing, crisp and ideal for champagne based cocktails, this new champagne combines fun, fresh and free sensations while remaining true to the Moët & Chandon style, a style distinguished by its bright fruitiness, its seductive palate and its elegant maturity.  

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.

News: Audemars Piguet to Open Boutique in East Hampton, New York. Material Good Will Operate It.

Audemars Piguet to unveil a year-round boutique in East Hampton, New York within the exclusive East End enclave. The new AP Boutique at the swanky Hamptons will open up before the end of the summer in mid-August. In addition to the AP boutiques in New York City, Las Vegas, Bal Harbour and Beverly Hills, this new retail addition to one of the world’s most exclusive beach destinations will be a singular shopping experience in the Hamptons.

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 44 Titanium ref. 26400IO. The Nicest Version of this AP Line.

Released in 2017, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 44 ref. 26400IO.OO.A004CA.01 in titanium quickly became one of the hottest watches amongst AP lovers and without a doubt our favorite iteration of the Royal Oak Offshore 44 line. Fitted with a larger and more robust case than the original Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph line, the AP ROO Chrono ref. 26400IO measures 44 mm in diameter and 14.12 mm in thickness. Fitted with a titanium case and black ceramic bezel, this relatively newish reference brings to the 44 mm collection the only metal that was missing.

Experience: Art Basel 2018 with the 4th Audemars Piguet Art Commission. When Baselworld is not at the Messeplatz and the Magic from Le Brassus Fills the Air and the Halls.

Two weeks ago, we had the pleasure of joining Audemars Piguet on a once in a lifetime trip that included a visit to the AP Manufacture in Le Brassus —which you can read about it here— and Art Basel 2018 in Switzerland. For those of you not quite familiar with Art Basel, this is one of the most renowned art fairs in the world with three shows staged annually in Basel, Switzerland; Miami Beach, Florida; and Hong Kong. Even as excited as we were about visiting Art Basel in its home city, there was a strange eerie feeling about being there when Baselworld wasn't taking place. It was almost like a 'déjà vu' without the usual crowds, the watch brands and the media people.

Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin Westime Special Edition ref. 26515OR. One of the Nicest Dials Ever Done by AP.

Released without much fanfare and as understated as it gets, comes the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin Westime Special Edition. This rare bird in a limited edition of only 25 pieces is dedicated to U.S. watch retailer Westime, a longtime AP partner. Featuring an 18K pink gold case that is fully harmonized by the salmon pink gold-toned dial this watch is sublime, exceptional and elegant. The Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin Westime Special Edition we have here is as special as all other Royal Oak tourbillons and almost as rare as the Royal Oak Automatique Tourbillon 25th Anniversary ref. 25831 because of its limitation.

Experience: Visiting the Audemars Piguet Manufacture in Le Brassus. A Longtime Dream Becomes a Reality.

Back in 1998, I purchased my first Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, it was a stainless steel ref. 5402ST A-series that I should've never sold. After buying that first AP, the two-tone Royal Oak ref. 5402SA you see in the picture above was the one that followed. For 20 years as an AP collector and 28 years as a watch collector, I've longed to visit the Audemars Piguet manufacture in Le Brassus, Switzerland. In 2013, right around the launch of Watch Collecting Lifestyle, I was able to visit the Audemars Piguet Museum —which you can read about it here— but couldn’t visit the manufacture at that time.

News: Audemars Piguet Unveils 4th Art Commission HALO by Semiconductor for Art Basel 2018

On June 14th, 2018, Audemars Piguet celebrated the debut of the 4th Audemars Piguet Art Commission with a press conference and cocktail party that we were invited to and with a recap to follow in the next couple of days. At the special exhibition named HALO, guests experienced first-hand the immersive installation, presented as a ten meter wide and four meter tall cylinder-shaped structure, made up of vertical piano wires and a 360-degree screen. This year, the Audemars Piguet Art Commission was conceived and realised by British artist-duo Semiconductor, Ruth Jarman and Joe Gerhardt, in collaboration with guest curator Mónica Bello, head of Arts and curator at CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics in Geneva.

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT. The Redesigned Version of One of the Most Advanced Royal Oaks.

With a second time zone indication and a flying tourbillon comes the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT ref. 26589IO.OO.D002CA.01 with its asymmetric look and contemporary architecture with redesigned bridges. In a first for the brand comes the fully revealed flying tourbillon at 9 o'clock enhanced by the powerful mix of a sandblasted titanium case and a black ceramic bezel. 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.

Eye Candy: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 'The Brick'. The Grey Ruthenium Dial reference 26470OR.OO.1000OR.02

Released back in January at the SIHH 2018, the latest iteration of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in 18K pink gold a.k.a. 'The Brick' is now sporting a gorgeous 'Méga Tapisserie' grey ruthenium-toned dial with contrasting ivory-toned counters. The new watch is exactly like the previous iteration of the Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470OR but with a much more appealing dial. The 18K pink gold case and bracelet harmonize flawlessly against the unique tone of the dial and the inner bezel.

News: Audemars Piguet Releases Book on 20th Century Complicated Wristwatches. A Must Have.

Audemars Piguet announces its first ever book dedicated entirely to the history of the manufacture's complicated wristwatches, following 4 years of Archival research and writing on the part of the Heritage Department. From the world’s first minute repeating wristwatch crafted in 1892 until the revival of complications in the late 1970s, Audemars Piguet produced a grand total of only 550 complicated wristwatches, of which no two are identical: 35 minute repeaters, 188 calendar wristwatches, 307 chronograph wristwatches and 20 double complication wristwatches featuring both calendar and chronograph.

News: Introducing the New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26584OR Exclusive for Latin America. A 100-Piece Limited Edition.

A new iteration of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel returns to the center stage this time with a new dial and a special oscillating weight. The new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar exclusive for Latin America is available in a 100-piece limited edition and cased in a 41mm 18K pink gold case. This new model under reference number 26584OR.OO.1220OR.01 features a gorgeous pink gold toned dial with dark blue subdials.

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked Black Ceramic ref. 26343CE. Hands-on with the 25-Piece Limited Edition in Four Different Colors.

Released at the SIHH 2018, the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked Black Ceramic ref. 26343CE continues to capitalize on the expertise mastered by Audemars Piguet when it comes to the use of black ceramic for its watch cases. Available in four different variations with color accents on the minute track, 30-minute chronograph register and the chronograph seconds hand —light grey, blue, green and gold accents— this incredible 44 mm watch features a tourbillon and a 30-minute chronograph. The watch is available in a limited edition of 25 pieces for each color combination and exclusively sold at the Audemars Piguet Boutiques.

News: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Unique Piece Sells for $240,000 USD at the One Night One Drop Charity Auction

Last Friday, March 2, 2018 a special charity auction took place as part of the 6th annual One Night for One Drop event imagined by Cirque du Soleil, raising funds and awareness to benefit critical water issues worldwide. Held at the Michael Jackson ONE Theater at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, one of the highlights of the live auction was the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Unique Piece in 18K rose gold with blue dial and rose gold subdials that sold for $240,000 USD. This very special unique piece bears the following reference number 26584OR.OO.1220OR.01.