Royal Oak Extra-Thin Tourbillon by Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet once again brings together two hallmarks of its expertise, creating the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Tourbillon.
A leading specialist in the tourbillon—a complication designed to counteract the effects of gravity and thus improve accuracy—Audemars Piguet fits its Royal Oak (an atypical “forty-something” launched in 1972) with an extra-thin tourbillon.
The manufacture proudly recalls that in 1986 it introduced the first ultra-thin self-winding tourbillon wristwatch. This complication still has a bright future ahead of it and remains a firm favourite with the public.
For the occasion, the new calibre 2924 extra-thin hand-wound tourbillon has taken its place inside the Royal Oak. At 4.46 mm thick, it ranks among the slimmest on the market while meeting the requirement for robustness.
The steel tourbillon cage (the Royal Oak’s original material, which contributed to its success) is paired with a large balance to deliver a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and a power reserve of 70 hours. It will therefore have no trouble spending a few days on a bedside table.
The timepiece features its legendary octagonal bezel—so unconventional at the time of its launch in 1972—on a 41 mm diameter case in 18-carat pink gold, as is the bracelet. The dial, a nod to the original model, adopts the “Petite Tapisserie” motif. The power-reserve indicator is located on the back of the watch, visible through the sapphire crystal.
You almost wonder why the model wasn’t made sooner, so self-evident does this synthesis of Audemars Piguet’s expertise seem—so perfectly aligned with the spirit of the brand.
