Audemars Piguet (AP) has unveiled three new watches created in collaboration with the brand’s devoted collectors in the UAE. They “were given the unique opportunity to give their creative input to the AP design teams during a Create the Extraordinary workshop held in Dubai in June 2022 – a first in the world of fine watchmaking.” To celebrate this occasion, the two Royal Oak models individual casebacks are engraved with “Special Edition” and “Create the Extraordinary.”
The three models include:
Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin. Features AP’s Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG). Limited to 1 piece.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked. Crafted in white ceramic. Limited to 30 pieces.
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon. Features a meteorite dial. Limited to 30 pieces.
“Combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, these references embody the passion, spirit of innovation and collaboration that the Manufacture has been fostering for generations.”
Key Features
Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
Functions
Central hours and minutes.
Perpetual calendar functions:
Day of the week subdial at 9 o’clock. Day and night indicator below this subdial.
Date subdial at 6 o’clock.
Month subdial at 3 o’clock. Leap year indicator below this subdial.
Astronomical moonphase indicator at 12 o’clock.
Dial
Smoked ivory dial with a vertical brushed finish, and rhodium subdials for day of the week (9 o’clock), date (6 o’clock), and month (3 o’clock).
Astronomical moonphase indicator at 12 o’clock “has been harmonised with the design” of the watch.
10 Hindu-Arabic hour-markers are made from white gold and applied on the dial. 2 small hour-markers, made from white gold and coated with luminescent material, are applied on the dial at 6 and 12 o’clock.
Royal Oak hour and minute hands are made from white gold and coated with luminescent material.
Movement
Powered by Calibre 5133, an in-house ultra-thin automatic movement. It drives the hours, minutes, perpetual calendar functions, day and night indicator, and astronomical moonphase. This movement debuted in 2018 with AP’s RD#2. It is a patented movement that features all perpetual calendar functions in a single plane (rather than on three), “paving the way for a new generation of ultra-thin watches at Audemars Piguet.”
Diameter: 32 mm (14 ¼ lignes). Thickness: 2.90 mm.
Components: 256. Jewels: 37.
Frequency: 19,800 vph or 2.75 Hz. Minimum guaranteed power reserve: 40 hours.
Automatic winding rotor is rhodium-toned and features an “arabesque motif inspired by a pattern observed in the Middle East.”
Case and Bracelet
Case is made from titanium.
Bezel, caseback frame, and bracelet studs are made from Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG). AP’s BMG “is palladium-based, granting it high resistance to wear and corrosion as well as enhanced brilliance.” It features mirror-polished surfaces that contrast well with the satin-brushed titanium case and bracelet links.
Case diameter: 41 mm. Thickness: 6.2 mm.
Dial and caseback feature glare proofed sapphire crystal.
Screw-locked crown at 3 o’clock.
Water resistant up to 20 metres.
Bracelet links are made from titanium and bracelet studs from BMG. AP folding clasp is made from titanium.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked
Functions
Central hours, minutes, and seconds.
Dial
Openworked dial. Rhodium-toned openworked Calibre 3132 is visible dial side.
Inner bezel is made from blue aventurine. 11 hour-markers are made from white gold, coated with luminescent material, and applied on the inner bezel. Minute scale, graduated in increments of 5 minutes each.
Royal Oak hour and minute hands are blackened and coated with luminescent material. The seconds hand is also blackened.
Movement
Powered by Calibre 3132, an in-house automatic movement that features a double balance wheel mechanism, patented by AP in 2016. It has two balance wheels and two hairsprings, “assembled on the same axis that oscillate in perfect synchrony and grant the watch enhanced precision and stability.” It drives the hours, minutes, and seconds.
Diameter: 26.60 mm (11 ¾ lignes). Thickness 4.40 mm.
Components: 245. Jewels: 38.
Frequency: 21,600 vph or 3 Hz. Minimum guaranteed power reserve: 45 hours.
Automatic winding rotor is rhodium-toned.
Case and Bracelet
Case is made from white ceramic.
Case diameter: 41 mm. Thickness: 9.70 mm.
Dial and caseback feature glare proofed sapphire crystal.
Screw-locked crown at 3 o’clock.
Water resistant up to 50 metres.
Bracelet is made from white ceramic and features an AP folding clasp.
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon
Functions
Central hours and minutes.
Flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock.
Dial
Dial is crafted from a meteorite. It “presents a one-of-a-kind stratified pattern blending depth and texture, making each timepiece truly unique.”
Grey inner bezel with 12 white hour-markers.
12 hour-markers are made from pink-gold, rhodium-toned, and applied on the dial. 3, 9, and 12 are Hindu-Arabic and rest are baton-shaped. Minute scale, graduated in increments of 5 minutes each.
Hour and minute hands are made from white gold.
Movement
Powered by Calibre 2950, an in-house automatic movement. It drives the hours, minutes, and flying tourbillon. It is AP’s first automatic movement that combines a flying tourbillon with a central automatic winding rotor.
Diameter: 31.50 mm (13 ¾ lignes). Thickness 6.20 mm.
Components: 270. Jewels: 27.
Frequency: 21,600 vph or 3 Hz. Minimum guaranteed power reserve: 65 hours.
Case and Strap
Case middle and crown made from black ceramic. Bezel, lugs, and caseback made from stainless steel.
Case diameter: 41 mm. Thickness: 11.76 mm.
Dial and caseback feature glare proofed sapphire crystal.
Water resistant up to 30 metres.
Watch comes with a grey rubber-coated strap and features a stainless steel folding clasp.
Our Thoughts
Audemars Piguet and their devoted collectors in the UAE have done a phenomenal job collaborating together to create these gorgeous watches. AP’s Royal Oak is among the most iconic and sought after watch family in the world, and these two versions further add to its mystique and allure. The Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon is a handsome interpretation of a grand complication watch with a meteorite dial and a modern and versatile case. Each is a winner, and I love all three.
Based on images and supporting information, if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked in white ceramic. It’s quite possible all 61 watches are spoken for, most likely to AP’s most devoted collectors. If you want to try your luck, then hurry.
Additional Details
Name: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
Reference: 26586XT.OO.1240XT.99 Special Edition
Price: Upon Request
Limited to 1 piece.
Name: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked
Reference: 15416CB.OO.1225CB.01 Special Edition
Price: Upon Request
Limited to 30 pieces.
Name: Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon
Reference: 26396QT.OOD009KB.01
Price: Upon Request
Limited to 30 pieces.
Please visit the AP’s website and Instagram page for more information.
Please contact AP if interested. AP has boutiques at Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall. Appointment recommended.
We wrote about AP’s Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked in 18-carat sand gold in August. Please read here.
