The latest Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon comes with a black onyx dial and an attractive two-tone case design interweaving black ceramic with 18-carat white gold.

The black onyx dial’s purity is highlighted by the absence of hour-markers. This stone dial has been crafted in collaboration with long-term partner Someco, a company specialised in dial manufacturing since 1966 and located in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

Carved out of a single black onyx stone, the dial has then been cut into a thin disc, ground, sanded and polished to perfection before being inserted into the dial’s pink-gold-toned brass base plate. Its polished finishing confers it an elegant shine, magnified by the watch’s double curved sapphire crystal.

Each dial is unique, as each stone has its own natural composition, texture and colour and reacts differently to the manufacturing and finishing operations.

The overall minimalist design is enriched with pink gold accents, including pink gold hands and a discreet pink-gold-toned minute track printed on the black lacquered inner bezel.

The polished laser-cut pink gold “Audemars Piguet” signature has been applied onto the dial with dedicated legs specifically adapted to the stone’s thickness. Lastly, the flying tourbillon cage, encircled by a delicate pink-gold-toned thread, matching with the balance wheel pulsating within, makes its rotations at 6 o’clock.

For the first time, the top bridge of the flying tourbillon cage has been finished with black PVD in an echo to the dial’s colour. The black rubber-coated strap, finished with a textured motif, enhances the watch’s contemporary look.

The Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon is endowed with a contemporary two-tone case design. While the bezel, lugs and caseback are crafted in 18-carat white gold, the octagonal case middle is honed from black ceramic.

First introduced on the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph in 2021, this two-tone case aesthetic makes its debut this year on some of the collection’s complicated models.

Similarly to the 2021 Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph, the ceramic case middle has been crafted in collaboration with Bangerter, a Swiss family-owned company specialised in the manufacturing of precision components made of advanced ceramics, tungsten carbide and other super hard materials.

Like the gold components, the ceramic case middle is meticulously hand-finished with the Manufacture’s trademark alternation of satin brushing and polished chamfers, endowing the timepiece with a rich play of light.

As previous iterations, this new model is powered by selfwinding Calibre 2950. While the flying tourbillon made its appearance in 2018 in the Royal Oak Concept collection, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet first introduced this prestigious mechanism coupled with a central rotor in 2019.

Visible on the dial and through the sapphire caseback, the flying tourbillon cage constantly rotates itself while offering an unobstructed view of some of the watch’s regulating components. The flying tourbillon’s absence of bridges also furthers the dial’s minimalist aesthetic.

The timepiece’s sapphire caseback reveals the collection’s dedicated 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight and the refined finishing adorning Calibre 2950, including Côtes de Genève, traits tirés, snailing and circular graining, among other techniques.

Technical details

Model: Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon / 41 mm
Reference 26396NB.OO.D002KB.01

Movement
Selfwinding Calibre 2950
Total diameter: 31.50 mm (13 ¾ lignes)
Total thickness: 6.19 mm
Number of parts: 270
Number of jewels: 27
Minimum power reserve guaranteed: 65 h
Frequency of balance wheel: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)

Functions
Flying tourbillon, hours and minutes

Case
Black ceramic case middle
18-carat white gold bezel, lugs, caseback and crown
Double-curved glare-proofed sapphire crystal
Glare-proofed sapphire caseback
Water-resistant to 20 m
Case thickness: 11.8 mm

Dial
Black onyx dial, 18-carat pink gold hands, black lacquered inner bezel

Strap
Black rubber-coated strap with 18-carat white gold AP folding clasp

Audemars Piguet unveils its latest Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin (RD#3) model.

This 37 mm anniversary model, which complements the 39 mm “Jumbo” timepiece released earlier this year, features a plum dial with Petite Tapisserie pattern.

For the first time, Audemars Piguet introduces a flying tourbillon in this smaller diameter making it available to the slenderer wrists thanks to its latest ultra-thin selfwinding flying tourbillon movement, Calibre 2968, which measures a mere 3.4 mm in thickness and adorns a combination of traditional and contemporary hand-decorations.

The Calibre 2968 was developed over a five-year period. Integrating a flying tourbillon powered by an innovative escapement in a case of 39 mm and then 37 mm in diameter represents the Manufacture’s main technical achievement as this complication was previously reserved for 41 mm diameters.

The tourbillon cage, which is crafted in titanium, is notably equipped for the first time with a peripheral drive, which also contributes to its thinness. The combination of these two elements makes the distribution of energy to the tourbillon more fluid in addition to lightening and refining this regulating organ.

In addition, the new escapement relies on an oscillator with increased amplitude that enhances reliability, energy distribution and precision.

In order to provide optimum visibility of both the flying tourbillon and the movement, Audemars Piguet engineers completely redesigned the architecture of the mechanism.

On the caseback side, the bridges have been open-worked to unveil the movement’s inner workings, while achieving a harmonious and symmetrical aesthetic. On the dial side, the geometry and positioning of the balance wheel arms have been modified to make the beating heart even more perceptible.

The technical design of the movement results in the flying tourbillon being placed at the dial level, for a greater visual experience.

The hand decoration of the movement components, visible through the sapphire caseback, combines the dynamism and classicism of V-angles with the modernity of traits tirés – a finish that appears on the mainplate and bridges and replaces the traditional Côtes de Genève. The openworked, rhodium-toned bridges offer an unobstructed view on the contrasting pink-gold-toned elements of the mechanism.

Similarly to its 39 mm counterpart, the timepiece adorns a Petite Tapisserie dial, but presented for the first time in a vivid plum hue, obtained by Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) to guarantee a light, homogeneous and lasting hue across all dials.

Inspired by the original model from 1972, this new reference also encompasses bathtub-shaped hour-markers and hands with a luminescent coating for optimum legibility in the dark.

The “Audemars Piguet” signature, as well as the minute track, has been printed in white onto the Tapisserie motif. Rotating at 6 o’clock, the titanium flying tourbillon cage provides a sharp contrast with the plum background, creating a mesmerising aerial effect.

Departing from Jumbo aesthetics, the hand-finished stainless steel case and bracelet of this 37 mm model incorporate the collection’s latest design evolution which was introduced at the beginning of the year on numerous Royal Oak models. The widened polished bevels and the increase taper of the bracelet links bestow the timepiece with a slenderer silhouette, while reinforcing its ergonomics.

The Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin features a central oscillating weight mounted on ball bearings and equipped with two reversers that ensure bidirectional winding.

This dedicated rhodium-toned 22-carat pink gold rotor, specifically developed for the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, bears the “50-years” logo and the Audemars Piguet signature engraved on its surface. Matching the tones of the stainless steel case and bracelet, it is adorned with the collection’s trademark polished and satin-brushed finishes that can be admired through the sapphire caseback.

In 1986, Audemars Piguet introduced the world’s first selfwinding tourbillon wristwatch. Imagined by Jacqueline Dimier, the design placed the tourbillon escapement on the dial side for the very first time.

Calibre 2870 was housed in an ultra-thin case measuring a mere 5.3 mm thick. Its titanium tourbillon cage remains one of the smallest in the world today with a diameter of 7.2 mm, as well as one of the lightest with a weight of only 0.123 grams.

This model became known as the Tourbillon Selfwinding Ra (in reference to the Egyptian sun god) because Jacqueline Dimier’s design gave the tiny regulator the appearance of a sun, with its rays spreading across the dial.

This complicated wristwatch, of which 401 were produced until 1992, opened up a new avenue for Haute Horlogerie, which began to see a comeback of prestigious mechanisms including tourbillon watches.

Thirty years after Jacqueline Dimier’s model, the Manufacture, known for its ability to innovate, launched a series of Research and Development models.

In 2015, Audemars Piguet revealed its first RD#1 Royal Oak Concept Minute Repeater Supersonnerie prototype at SIHH, after eight years of research in partnership with EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne and a panel of experts composed of watchmakers, engineers, musicians and sound specialists.

This watch marked a significant step forward in terms of acoustic performance, sound amplification and sonic beauty, with the launch of the Supersonnerie mechanism. This system, for which three patents were filed, combines a novel chiming mechanism with an innovative case construction.

The commercial Royal Oak Concept Minute Repeater Supersonnerie version, which followed one year later, won the “Mechanical Exception Watch Prize” at the 2016 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

In 2019, Audemars Piguet unveiled a new innovation with its 41 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin, whose prototype was presented a year earlier at SIHH under the name RD#2.

This 6.3 mm-thick calendar watch houses a movement that is only 2.89 mm thick, making it the world’s thinnest automatic calendar wristwatch of its time. To achieve this feat, the calendar functions usually mounted on three levels were brought together on a single plane.

The Manufacture’s experts also developed two patented innovations relating to the integration of the end-of-month cam with the date wheel and the association of the month cam with the month wheel.

Marking a turning point in the history of complication watches, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin earned Audemars Piguet the “Aiguille d’Or” award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in November 2019.

This year, the Manufacture’s latest technical advance, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin, follows in the footsteps of these previous innovations. The two RD#3 timepieces, powered by the new Calibre 2968, combine technical innovation and aesthetic refinement to pay a fine tribute to the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary.

Technical details

Model: Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin (RD#3) / 37 mm
Reference 26660ST.OO.1356ST.01

Functions
Flying tourbillon, hours, minutes

Case
Stainless steel case
Diameter: 37mm
Case thickness: 8.1 mm
Glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback
Water-resistant to 50 m

Movement
Selfwinding Calibre 2968
Total diameter: 29.6 mm (13 lignes)
Total thickness: 3.4 mm
Number of parts: 226
Number of jewels: 33
Minimum power reserve guaranteed: 50 h
Frequency of balance wheel: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)

Dial
Plum dial with Petite Tapisserie pattern, white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.

Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet with AP folding clasp

 

Audemars Piguet has launched its very first Royal Oak Self-winding Flying Tourbillon Open-worked in a 41 mm diameter to celebrate the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary.

This stainless steel timepiece is powered by the Manufacture’s first ever self-winding flying tourbillon open-worked mechanism, Calibre 2972, premiered on this elegant monochromatic timepiece. This latest in-house movement builds on Audemars Piguet’s long expertise in both open-working and tourbillon mechanisms.

The newly released Calibre 2972, which combines a central rotor with a flying tourbillon, evolves from Calibre 2950, launched in 2019 as part of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection. The new calibre has been conceived to offer symmetry and a rich play of light. Its highly stylised and multilayered openworked architecture bestows the watch with a unique 3D effect, as the shape of the bridges has been finished horizontally and vertically.

Calibre 2972 builds on the age-old open-working techniques that have been reshaping what is possible with wristwatch design since the 1930s. The beauty and finesse of the mechanism is revealed by removing as much material from the mainplate and bridges as possible to let light pass through, without impairing its functions.

Leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies, the preliminary geometries of the mainplate and bridges have been cut through computer numerical control (CNC) machining, before being perfected by electric discharge machining (EDM). This manufacturing process enables to remove small amounts of material with extreme precision to reach the desired shape.

Each component has then been finished with refined Haute Horlogerie decorations including “traits tirés,” satin, circular and sunray brushing, snailing, as well as polished chamfers. The polished V-angles that can be admired on both sides of the watch reflect the meticulous handiwork that went into their realisation as this level of craftsmanship can only be achieved by hand.
The rhodium-toned hues of the different components sit in harmony with the watch’s stainless steel case and bracelet, providing the watch with a contemporary monochromatic aesthetic.

The flying tourbillon, located at 6 o’clock, compensates for the effect of gravity and enhances accuracy. The balance wheel is housed in a tiny revolving cage which makes a revolution per minute to prevent the hairspring from remaining static. Only supported on the mainplate, the flying tourbillon is considered today as a symbol of watchmaking art as only a few watchmakers retain the necessary skills for its realisation.

The new timepiece is fitted with the Royal Oak “50-years” oscillating weight, which will be seen on the Royal Oak anniversary models throughout 2022. The watch’s sapphire caseback showcases the dedicated rotor, crafted in rhodium-toned 22-carat pink gold, which seamlessly blends with the open-worked movement’s grey hues and recalls the stainless steel case.

The stainless steel bracelet and case of the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked are endowed with the new design evolution which makes its debut this year on Royal Oak models in 34, 37, 38 and 41 mm.

The case and bracelet encompass larger polished chamfers for a slenderer aesthetic offering stronger plays of light between the satin-brushed and polished surfaces adorning the different components.

In addition, the first four links of the integrated bracelet show a more pronounced decrease in thickness for more visual appeal. The bracelet links are also thinner and therefore lighter for added comfort. The sapphire caseback has been slightly more integrated into the case to better fit the wrist.

The white gold hour-markers and hands, both filled with luminescent coating for optimum visibility in the dark also present slightly revised proportions in harmony with the other Royal Oak models across the collection.

The Legacy of Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Watches

In 1986, Audemars Piguet introduced the world’s first self-winding tourbillon wristwatch. Calibre 2870 was housed in an ultra-thin case measuring a mere 5.3 mm in thickness, fitted with a winding system on the caseback side.

Its tourbillon cage is still one of the smallest in the world today with a 7.2 mm diameter, as well as one of the lightest at just 0.123 g. This pioneering wristwatch forged a new path for the Haute Horlogerie industry, which renewed ties with this prestigious mechanism. Several generation of tourbillon succeeded Calibre 2870, displaying ever-greater robustness and reliability.

The tourbillon entered the Royal Oak collection in 1997 for the watch’s 25th anniversary. At the time, Model 25831 was equipped with Audemars Piguet’s second generation tourbillon movement, Calibre 2875, and endowed with a stylised octagonal aperture opening onto the tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock. An open-worked Royal Oak model (25902) fitted with Calibre 2875SQ was unveiled in 1999 – the very first Royal Oak tourbillon open-worked ever crafted.

In 2003, the tourbillon was combined with the chronograph for the first time in the Royal Oak collection, with Model 25977 equipped with Calibre 2889. This stainless steel watch paved the way for a new wave of timepieces featuring the two complications, including the Royal Oak Tradition d’Excellence n°4 (Model 25969) released the following year.

In 2012, for the Royal Oak’s 40th anniversary, Audemars Piguet launched a new 41 mm Royal Oak Extra-Thin Tourbillon (Model 26510), powered by Calibre 2924 and available in stainless steel or 18-carat pink gold. An open-worked version was also released for the occasion in a 40-piece platinum limited edition (Model 26511, Calibre 2924SQ).

This timepiece was complemented in 2016 by a version in yellow gold (26513BA), followed by two limited editions in stainless steel(26518ST) and pink gold (26518OR) in 2017.

The Manufacture’s first Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Open-worked model (26347) saw the light of day in 2016 in a 44 mm platinum timepiece housing Calibre 2936. This complicated mechanism was then offered in titanium and pink gold in 2017.

For its part, the flying tourbillon made its debut on the Royal Oak Concept in 2018, before appearing in the Royal Oak collection in 2020 with a 41 mm timepiece (Model 26530) powered by the Manufacture’s latest generation movement, Calibre 2950.

The Manufacture’s legacy of tourbillon watches continues with this self-winding open-worked flying tourbillon movement which reinterprets tradition through a contemporary lens on the occasion of the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary.

Technical details

Model: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-winding Flying Tourbillon Open-worked / 41 mm
Reference 26735ST.OO.1320ST.01

Case
Stainless steel case
Case diameter: 41mm
Case thickness: 10.6mm
Glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback
Water-resistant to 50 m

Movement
Self-winding Calibre 2972
Total diameter: 31.5mm (13 ¾ lignes)
Total thickness: 6.84mm
Number of jewels: 27
Number of parts: 271
Minimum power reserve guaranteed: 65 h
Frequency of balance wheel: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)

Functions
Flying tourbillon, hours and minutes

Dial
Rhodium-toned open-worked movement, white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating, slate grey inner bezel

Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet with AP folding clasp

 

Audemars Piguet has launched its latest research and development breakthrough (RD#3) with the Royal Oak Self-winding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin.

This 39 mm stainless steel anniversary model, measuring 8.1 mm in thickness, represents the first “Jumbo” in history to be equipped with a self-winding flying tourbillon.

It is powered by the Manufacture’s new self-winding ultra-thin flying tourbillon movement, Calibre 2968, measuring just 3.4 mm thick and adorned with a novel combination of traditional and contemporary hand-crafted decorations. Pushing the boundaries of feasibility, this model will be complemented in September by a second 37 mm version for the slimmer wrists, enriched with a dial of a different hue.

This 39 mm Royal Oak Self-winding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin in stainless steel achieves the feat of integrating a self-winding flying tourbillon into a “Jumbo” case. Placed at the dial level, the rotating tourbillon cage appears at 6 o’clock.

At the heart of this new innovation is Calibre 2968, an ultra-thin self-winding flying tourbillon movement that was developed over a five-year period.

Given the extra-thin nature of the form language, this self-winding flying tourbillon had to be creatively rethought to reduce the thickness required to house this complication by repositioning certain components. The tourbillon cage, which is crafted in titanium, is notably equipped for the first time with a peripheral drive. The combination of these two elements not only makes the distribution of energy to the tourbillon more fluid, but also served to lighten and refine this regulating organ.

In order to provide optimum visibility of the tourbillon and the movement, Audemars Piguet engineers completely redesigned the architecture of the mechanism. The Royal Oak Self-winding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin features a new escapement to accentuate the aesthetic details while revealing part of the movement’s workings.

The geometry and positioning of the balance wheel arms have notably been revised in such a way as to make the watch’s beating heart even more perceptible. The technical design of the movement results in the flying tourbillon being placed at the dial level, for a greater visual experience.

The hand decoration of the movement components, visible through the sapphire caseback, combines the dynamism and classicism of V-angles with the modernity of traits tirés– a finish that appears on the mainplate and bridges and replaces the traditional Côtes de Genève. The open-worked, rhodium-toned bridges offer an unobstructed view, contrasting with the pink-gold-toned colour of certain mechanism elements.

The new RD#3 remains true to the aesthetic codes of the iconic “Jumbo” models. The stainless steel case and bracelet feature the collection’s signature satin-brushed and polished hand finishes, while the timepiece is graced with a Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50Petite Tapisserie dial which pays tribute to the original model. The colour is obtained using a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) process that guarantees a uniform and lasting tone across all the dials.

Just as on the 1972 model, this new “Jumbo” reference is distinguished by bathtub-shaped hour-markers and hands filled with luminescent material to ensure optimal readability in the dark. The Audemars Piguet signature, like the minute-track, is printed in white on the Tapisserie motif.

The titanium flying tourbillon cage rotating at 6 o’clock stands out against the blue Tapisserie backdrop to create an airy effect. Contrary to the original model, the contemporary version is endowed with a sapphire caseback, which reveals the new ultra-thin movement and the dedicated oscillating weight.

The Royal Oak Self-winding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin features a central oscillating weight mounted on ball bearings and equipped with two reversers that ensure bidirectional winding.

The timepiece is fitted with the dedicated anniversary open-worked oscillating weight in rhodium-toned22-carat pink gold, which bears the “50-years” logo and the Audemars Piguet signature engraved on its surface. Matching the tones of the stainless steel case and bracelet, it is also adorned with the collection’s trademark polished and satin-brushed finishes.

In 1986, Audemars Piguet introduced the world’s first self-winding tourbillon wristwatch. Imagined by Jacqueline Dimier, the design placed the tourbillon escapement on the dial side for the very first time. Calibre 2870 is housed in an ultra-thin case measuring a mere5.3 mm thick. Its titanium tourbillon cage remains one of the smallest in the world today with a diameter of 7.2 mm, as well as one of the lightest with a weight of only 0.123 grams.

This model became known as the Tourbillon Self-winding Ra (in reference to the Egyptian sun god) because Jacqueline Dimier’s design gave the tiny regulator the appearance of a sun, with its rays spreading across the dial.

This complicated wristwatch, of which 401 were produced until 1992, opened up a new avenue for Haute Horlogerie, which began to see a comeback of prestigious mechanisms including tourbillon watches.

Thirty years after Jacqueline Dimier’s model, the Manufacture launched a series of Research and Development models. In 2015, Audemars Piguet revealed its first RD#1 Royal Oak Concept Minute Repeater Supersonnerie prototype at SIHH, after eight years of research in partnership with EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne and a panel of experts composed of watchmakers, engineers, musicians and sound specialists.

This watch marked a significant step forward in terms of acoustic performance, sound amplification and sonic beauty, with the launch of the Supersonnerie mechanism. This system, for which three patents were filed, combines a novel chiming mechanism with an innovative case construction.

The commercial Royal Oak Concept Minute Repeater Supersonnerie version, which followed one year later, won the “Mechanical Exception Watch Prize” at the 2016 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

In 2019, Audemars Piguet unveiled a new innovation with its 41 mm Royal Oak Self-winding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin, whose prototype was presented a year earlier at SIHH under the name RD#2.

This 6.3 mm-thick calendar watch houses a movement that is only 2.89 mm thick, making it the world’s thinnest automatic calendar wristwatch of its time. To achieve this feat, the calendar functions usually mounted on three levels were brought together on a single plane.

The experts at the Manufacture also developed two patented innovations relating to the integration of the end-of-month cam with the date wheel and the association of the month cam with the month wheel. Marking a turning point in the history of complication watches, the Royal Oak Self-winding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin earned Audemars Piguet the “Aiguille d’Or” award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in November 2019.

This year, the Manufacture’s latest technical advance, the Royal Oak Self-winding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin, follows in the footsteps of previous innovations.

This RD#3 timepiece, powered by the new Calibre 2968, combines technical innovation and aesthetic refinement to pay a fine tribute to the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary.

Technical details

Model: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-winding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin (RD#3) // 39 mm
Reference 26670ST.OO.1240ST.01

Case
Stainless steel case
Case diameter: 39mm
Case thickness: 8.1 mm
Glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback
Water-resistant to 50m

Movement
Self-winding Calibre 2968
Total diameter: 29.6 mm (13 lignes)
Total thickness: 3.4 mm
Number of parts: 226
Number of jewels: 33
Minimum power reserve guaranteed: 50 h
Frequency of balance wheel: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)

Functions
Flying tourbillon, hours, minutes

Dial
Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50dial with Petite Tapisserie pattern, white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating

Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet with AP folding clasp