Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Family grows with its first integrated chronograph watch inside

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With this week’s release of several new models for 2021, Audemars Piguet doubled down on the famous Royal Oak watch with several new enhancements in the sought-after collection, including an integrated internal index movement .

The 41mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph is now equipped with the latest generation of the internal integrated flyback chronograph, self-winding Caliber 4401. Two years ago, Audemars Piguet introduced that milestone movement with the start of the CODE collection 11.59, and now on its way into the Royal Oak.

For the first year, it will be limited to a pair of 18-karat rose gold models – one with a blue dial and one with a brown dial, either on a gold strap or bracelet (US $ 45,800 on a strap, US $ 66,300 air bracelet). The new indoor records will hit the market in May.

“For the first time, Caliber 4401 is on the Royal Oak’s agenda,” said Michael Friedman, the brand’s head of problems, during the live-action demonstration from the company’s headquarters in Le Brassus, Switzerland. “The real big change from the previous versions of the Royal Oak chronograph, because it’s the internal movement, we now have a sapphire case back, so we can see that beautiful movement with the techniques. stunning traditional finishes. ”

Audemars CEO Piguet François-Henry Bennahmias recalled how that movement came to be. “In 2012, a few months after I became global CEO, I put 40 people in a room, I closed the door and I said, ‘Guys, it’s very simple, we’ll live in the room this as long as it takes. I need a new automated capital and a new integrated chart tool. ‘”

Shortly on the horizon, with a chance to start this month, a special edition of the legendary story Ref. 15202 Extra-Thin Royal Oak “Jumbo” with twist – 39mm platinum 950 full case and bracelet with smoky sun dial. The limited edition of 100 pieces (US $ 105,400), will be sold exclusively through AP Clubs, the brand’s immersive boutiques.

Purists may balk away from a Tapisserie guilloché engraving dial signed by Royal Oak, but the tradeoff is something new. “This is one of the first times we’ve done a full platinum Jumbo on a bracelet,” Friedman said. “It takes so much heart to look at that piece, it’s unlike anything we’ve done. ”

For those who are attracted to going green, but prefer the traditional Royal Oak dial, you can opt for a limited edition 125-piece Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph with an 18-karat yellow gold case and a Grande Tapisserie green dial (US $ 74,800) , or a trio of Flying Selfwinding Tourbillons with a limited edition with green Tapisserie dials with a sunburst pattern running out of the tour at 6 p.m., starting from CHF139,000.