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Best Rolex Sea Dweller

Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller Ref. 126660 Dive Watch Replica For Sale


Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller Ref. 126660 Dive Watch First Look

Baselworld 2018 is proving to be a busy time for Rolex as they’ve launched a slew of new models, including the newest Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Sea-Dweller Ref. 126660. Minor changes to the model give it a bit of an update, but the real change is the utilization of Rolex’s new 3235 caliber.

Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller Ref. 126660 Dive Watch First Look

Specifications

Brand: Rolex
Model: Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Sea-Dweller Ref. 126660
Dimensions: 44mm
Case Material: Oystersteel
Crystal/Lens: Domed 5.5mm-thick Sapphire
Movement: Perpetual Calibre 3235
Frequency: 4Hz
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Strap/Bracelet: Oystersteel Bracelet
Price & Availability: $12,550

Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller Ref. 126660 Dive Watch First Look

Analysis

The new Deepsea Sea-Dweller features a number of changes that aren’t immediately apparent and may take someone who owns or is really familiar with the watch to notice. For instance, Rolex “Redesigned” the lugs. Translation: they now feature an apparent, ever-so-slightly rounded taper on the edges instead of simply being flat. Additionally, the bracelet is thickened up by a millimeter or so to accommodate for the slightly thinner lugs due to the taper and the Oysterlock Folding clasp was resized to match.

But the real draw to the new release is that the Sea-Dweller now utilizes Rolex’s new perpetual Calibre 3235 – most popularly used in the Sea-Dweller 126600 unveiled last year. The movement has been largely coveted among Rolex sport watch enthusiasts since it’s the first movement to receive Rolex’s own Superlative Chronometer certification based on their own standards. That may mean if this piece interests you, get on the list now if you want this in your watchbox before the next Avatar movie is released.

Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller Ref. 126660 Dive Watch First Look

Summary

Overall, there aren’t too many sweeping changes made to the aesthetics of the model, but I do like the refresh. The Calibre 3235 is going to make this a sought after version of the Sea-Dweller and that will mean widespread availability isn’t likely to happen right out of the gate. Rolex’s sport watches are in high demand, so get in line quick. Price for the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Sea-Dweller Ref. 126660 comes in at $12,550. rolex.com

In addition to magnifying the date aperture, the Cyclops is also one of the most distinct and recognizable of Rolex’s features.Past generations of no-date Submariners differed in their date-displaying counterparts in their movements were not COSC rated. However, since both the calibre 3135 and the calibre 3130 are chronometer-certified, the difference in functionality should be almost non-existent. Some will choose the reference 116610 for the usefulness of this date function, though others might pick it as they enjoy the visual look that the Cyclops adds into the surface of the watch. Other buyers will opt for the reference 114060 Submariner due to its lower price, even though some might choose it since they favor the symmetrical design of its dial.Both Submariners are exceptional watches, and either choice will be a very sound buy. People generally prefer one Submariner to another for a variety of different motives, and that is just why Rolex creates both models. Whether the you decide on the 114060 or the 116610, both options are excellent watches and fantastic investments.

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Best Richard Mille

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Replica Wholesale


Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

Behold, the Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph marks the debut of yet another over the top watch from the purveyor of over the top watches. I have been covering Richard Mille – and other, similarly unorthodox watches – for so long, that nowadays sometimes my mind’s immediate reaction when looking at them is not awe, but rather a sort of sympathy to my fellow watch lovers who simply can’t enjoy these watches. Still, I can’t help but love these watches and if there was an MRI machine around, I’m sure it could show that the part of my brain that enjoys these, is the same that gets a kick out of colorful G-Shocks.

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

Since none of my, or Richard Mille’s (though, mind you, basically non-existent) efforts will ever suffice to change the minds of hardcore traditionalist watch lovers, why am I still talking about them? I ended up asking myself this very same question and came up with the answer that perhaps it’s this natural thing where if you enjoy something, you at times kind of want others to get what you like about it. Anyhow, enough talk about what this watch (and brand) isn’t, and let’s look at the bonkers new Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph.

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases
Even though the Rolex Submariner 045 Replica is a tool lookout at heart, Rolex knows it is a luxury item now. So there are little things here and there meant for appearances greater than function. A good example is that the sapphire crystal. Rolex applies a coating of AR on the bottom of the crystal, but not on the top. This allows for the top of the crystal to be reflective and kind of makes it more shiny to onlookers. This is possibly a design decision by Rolex to make their products stand out more. It works also. The Rolex Submariner situation has changed very little through the years, but every advancement is welcome. This is because of the drag structure. I’d say that the bit wears closer to a 42mm broad watch.Rolex superbly uses plain casebacks on its watches. The Rolex Submariner’s screw-in caseback is devoid of any markings. The watches I have for review have been loaned from our friends at the boutique nearby in Beverly Hills. We agreed not to remove the protective plastic on the sides of the case, which you’re probably notice in the images. There’s also a type of bar code on the face of the situation which is a sequential identifier. That’s eliminated when folks purchase the watch. Rolex utilizes a standard of steel called 904L. Most steel watches utilize 316L steel. The differences are small, but involve more rust resistance in 904L steel from what I understand.

The RM011 has been around for ages, and in that time it has become the most instantly recognizable Richard Mille – it’s their Porsche 911, the only difference is that it costs more than most 911s. In all these years, the RM011 has seen many different variations, most notably the ones that have advanced in their details and have marked this evolution by taking on the brand’s naming scheme reserved for marking this progression. As such, the RM 11-03, although it’s been out for some time, is the most advanced 11-series Richard Mille thus far.

Before we talk looks, let’s get a glimpse under the hood: the RMAC3 caliber has a fly-back chronograph, a 60-minute countdown timer at 9 o’clock (that is actually a reversed 60-minute chronograph totalizer, but you won’t see that pointed out by anyone, really), a 12-hour totalizer, as well as an “oversize date” and month. The RM011 used to be an annual calendar, but there is no mention of that feature here – I guess it may still be in there somewhere.

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

If anything, a rather hilarious aspect of Richard Mille that I will point out is how challenged they seem to deliver their own tech specs. I’ve yet to see a Richard Mille product page on their website or a press release that has all the basic info and that didn’t have some mixed-up elements that look like some unbelievably quirky details and some important specs were written on post-it notes, put into a blender, and whatever came out arranged into a PDF. On this occasion, the RMAC3 caliber’s basic functions are discussed and right under it, it says: “Dimensions: 49.94 x 44.50 x 16.23 mm.” I mean, us nerds, we know that’s for a case, but should anyone outside of our circles dare cover this watch they’d have no idea.

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

True enough, they did create the first commercially noteworthy water resistant watch with all the Oyster. For that reason you see the “Oyster” tag on a great deal of Rolex goods, even though there is not a Rolex watch called the Oyster these days. Obviously, the Rolex Submariner D’oro Prezzo Replica is much more than just that. Originally made as a commercial diver’s watch from the 1950s, the Rolex Submariner today has a water resistance of 300 yards and a design that’s incredibly similar to the first. This design which mixes professional and sport looks is among the vital factors to the design’s success. The dial of the Rolex Submariner is smart, yet easy on the eyes. The black and white layout is supposed to offer you a high contrast for easy reading of the time. The lumed indicators and hands are supposed to ensure it is easy to read from the dark. A different style of hour and minute hand would be there for legibility, plus a particular character for the 12 o’clock indicator is meant to make it easy to mentally orient the dial if looking at it in the side.Rolex also utilizes 18k white gold on the dial for those hands and hour indicators. A few years back Rolex switched from a green toned lumed to a blue. This not only produced the lume glow blue, but allows for it to look more white throughout the day. Rolex also raised the dimensions of the hands and hour markers a few years ago when they released their “Maxi dial” style that I enjoyed, but of course proved controversial. Every change the brand makes is controversial, even when they did something small like removing the lug spring bar holes on the outside of the case. It is good because it had not been look to be anything more than a great looking, legible dial. It is a tool, and we like tools that work nicely. Rolex also makes their very own dials. When you look at a Rolex Submariner’s dial closeup, you will observe that the lume is equally applied, and that everything is cut very well.

I still enjoy reading amusingly detailed stuff like “Balance: Glucydur®, 4 arms, moment of inertia 4.8 mg.cm2 angle of lift 53°” or “Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)” or “Barrel arbour – in AP 20 steel.” Just totally random, entirely intimidating and largely unintelligible stuff that I am absolutely sure they fully understand has no effect whatsoever on the mind of someone buying this watch – perhaps other than that of “cool intimidation” in isolated cases – and if that’s not a marketing thing already, then, well, it has to be.

Anyhow, all my watches must strictly have a 52° angle of lift, not one bit more, so the RM 11-03 is, unfortunately, off my list now!

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

The baseplate and bridges are still made from grade 5 titanium, an impressive feat – achieved by Vaucher manufacture who, along with APR&P, supply Richard Mille with movements; although I’ve seen that some work is performed on the movements on Richard Mille’s premises, which by itself is impressive as even their most basic movements have some cool and rare quirks. The RMAC3 caliber’s bridges and plates are crafted from an alloy of 90% grade 5 titanium, 6% aluminum, and 4% vanadium. The end result is a watch that feels feather light on the wrist with an unusual, but neat weight balance, hence drastically improving wearability.

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

Speaking of which, I should add that yeah, the design may not be for everyone, and the pricing is decidedly not for almost anyone – but the eggheads at Richard Mille could definitely teach the larger industry a thing or two about wearability and comfort. The Richard Mille watches I’ve had the chance to wear – including some for an extended period of testing, like this RM033 here, or this RM011 here – were all among the most comfortable watches I’ve ever worn. Without going into a deeper discussion of the topic, I’ll also add that unless you’re spending your time among the top 1% of the top 1% (which I am not), in my experience nobody, and I do mean absolutely nobody out in the real world recognizes Richard Mille watches, so the massive show-off factor that some associate with a watch that comes at six-figure prices is entirely unsubstantiated.

though the Rolex Submariner 904l Replica is a tool watch in mind, Rolex knows it is a luxury item now. So there are little things here and there intended for appearances greater than function. A fantastic case in point is the sapphire crystal. Rolex applies a coating of AR on the bottom of the crystal, but maybe not on the top. This permits for the cap of the crystal to be reflective and kind of makes it more shiny to onlookers. This is possibly a design decision by Rolex to make their products stand out more. It works also. The Rolex Submariner case has changed very little over time, but each advancement is welcome. The current size of the Rolex Submariner is 40mm wide, but it wears big for that dimension. This is because of the drag structure. I would say that the piece wears closer to a 42mm wide watch.Rolex superbly uses plain casebacks on its watches. The watches I have for review were loaned from our buddies at the boutique nearby in Beverly Hills. We agreed to not eliminate the protective plastic on either side of case, which you’re likely notice in the pictures. There’s also a sort of bar code on the side of the situation which is a sequential identifier. That’s removed when people purchase the watch. Rolex utilizes a standard of steel called 904L. Most steel watches utilize 316L steel. The differences are minor, but demand more corrosion resistance in 904L steel from what I know.

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

though the Rolex Submariner is a tool watch at heart, Rolex knows it is a luxury thing today. A good case in point is the sapphire crystal. Rolex applies a coating of AR on the base of the crystal, but not on the top. This allows for the cap of the crystal to be reflective and sort of makes it more glistening to onlookers. It works too. The Rolex Submariner situation has changed very little over time, but every improvement is welcome. This is due to the drag structure. I would say that the bit wears closer to some 42mm wide watch.Rolex superbly uses plain casebacks on its watches. The Rolex Submariner’s screw-in caseback is devoid of any markings. The watches I have for review were loaned from our friends in the boutique nearby in Beverly Hills. We agreed to not remove the protective plastic on the sides of the case, which you’ll probably see in the images. There’s also a sort of bar code on the side of the case that’s a sequential identifier. That is eliminated when people buy the watch. Rolex utilizes a grade of steel called 904L. Most steel watches utilize 316L steel. The differences are small, but demand more corrosion resistance in 904L steel from what I understand. If your Rolex Submariner spends a whole lot of time in saltwater, then it’ll look far better.
Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

The case, whose dimensions we’ve familiarized ourselves with already, is a mix of Carbon TPT and Quartz TPT, two exclusive materials with, uhm, a matching appearance. The surface displays regular undulations, thanks to the countless, 45-micron-thin layers of parallel filaments, obtained by dividing carbon fiber or silica threads. These layers are impregnated with resin and then woven on a special machine that modifies the direction of the weft by 45° between layers. Then, Quartz TPT layers are saturated in an orange resin, developed specially for Richard Mille to, you guessed it, match the orange color of McLaren. Heated to 120°C at a pressure of 6 bars, these materials are then ready to be processed on a CNC machine in Richard Mille’s case factory. The case of the RM 11-03 is water-resistant to 50m, ensured by two Nitrile O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 20 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases
Like I said, the Rolex Submariner 8828 Replica Date and No Date versions have two different costs attached to them. The difference in price has to do with the date complication and actually depends on what you like. Even though the approximately $1,000 gap is appreciable. Many people today despise the “cyclops” magnifier on the dial and love the clean appearance of a simple dial. Others believe that it is only a real Rolex with the date window and crystal bubble. For the Rolex Submariner Date ref. 116610LN the cost is $8,550, along with the Rolex Submariner 114060 is retails for $7,500. After nearly a year of wearing a Rolex Submariner 114060 watch, I have come to at least one decision – this is a damn tough timepiece to conquer. The power of the Swiss company is that it has produced a demand for the title, in many ways, more so than the goods they create. We often come to me and say, “Ariel, I would like a Rolex.” I usually respond with, “OK, what Rolex would you desire?” The answer is, “I don’t understand, that is the reason why I want your help, I want you to help me choose one.” The concept there is that Rolex is a firm whose picture in many ways is more rapid than its own products. But at aBlogtoWatch, product is everything.The great news is that when it comes to merchandise, Rolex watches rarely let you down. Obviously, Rolex does not make every sort of watch you want and isn’t the best at everything, but there is not any denying that in addition to their enviable brand image, they left really good timepieces.

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

The end result is a case that’s an acquired taste. What Richard Mille gets right is that they, along with few other brands, understand that the people who buy one McLaren after the other, are constantly overwhelmed by the products they own – and I’m sorry, but the only reason they’d wear a flat, round, discreet, small, uncomplicated watch when they go for a drive, is because they’d enjoy the way it contrasts against all the tech in their cars. So, in this sense, this watch is a good match to McLaren, who’s been on a roll recently with the launch of the Senna and Senna GTR, the 720S and, a few years ago, the P1.

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph Watch Releases

If I had all the money in the world, would I have and wear an RM011? You bet I would – had it complied with my strict angle of lift requirements, that is! Would it be this one with this much orange and yellow? Maybe not. Still, I imagine this latest RM 11-03 will do really well, as it’s an admirably good match to McLaren and its privileged clientèle.

Price for the Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph is 180,000 CHF. richardmille.com

Rolex is just as much a lifestyle as it’s a watch brand, but we believe that a hands-on Rolex Submariner W Serial Number Replica review is still necessary since it’s supposed to be worn and used. The company is a legend, and their products are the cornerstone of a business that sells fantasies, status, quality and ideally, value. Whether or not individual entities in the luxury sector can deliver on these promises is not the same story, however, what makes Rolex so famous is its constant ability to really deliver these goals to a large extent. So today I look at probably the most popular Rolex product, the Rolex Submariner.For review I am looking at two Rolex Submariner models in steel. These represent the newest generation Rolex Submariner timepieces and are often referred to as the Rolex Submariner Date and Rolex Submariner No Date. The gap between them ought to be clear. One includes a date window with magnifier on that window onto the sapphire crystal, whereas the No Date has none of the to get a cleaner looking dial. While the difference is minor, it’s these little differences that are significant to midsize fans, and the cost difference between both isn’t inconsequential. UPDATE: Check our long-term Rolex Submariner 114060 watch review on aBlogtoWatch for even more.While I am rather well-versed in most things “watches,” I don’t believe myself to be a Rolex expert compared to a lot of people whom I know. I have a simple comprehension of the brand’s history, the development of its products, and what’s attractive about watches like the Rolex Submariner. Other individuals have extremely in depth understanding of each and every item, hard-to-find timepieces, differences in goods as they evolves, etc.. . The objective of this review is to talk about the modern Rolex Submariner into the mainstream watch lovers and people interested in this is a worthy timepiece. In short, the Rolex Submariner began the dive watch trend that made those kinds of sport watches the most desirable type of timepiece in the world – and using its crown logo, the Rolex Submariner thematically principles over the lot.

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Cheapest All You Need to Know About the Tudor MT5813 Chronograph Movement Japanese Movement Replica

Luckily, it is not all teary-eyed past-reviving that is occurring at this anniversary — kudos to AP for it. Accordingly, together with the re-edition Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, we see the Introduction of the brand new Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph, namely Ref. 26421ST and 26421OR, that possess a completely new design in two different instance materials.Based on two earlier Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph watches, specifically the Ref. 26388PO (watch our hands-on with it here) and 26288OR, those new Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph watches come in stainless steel and 18k rose gold and feature a brand new case design that has a thinner bezel and hence a more open dial. Nevertheless, the distinctive Royal Oak Offshore design characteristics are all intact. The 45mm case remains angular, the bezel remains octagonal, and there’s no lost those exposed hexagonal screws on the bezel. Water resistance is also 100m. On the dial, an individual can observe the vulnerable movement and the tourbillon at 9 o’clock. Opposite the tourbillon at 3 o’clock is your 30-minute counter to get the chronograph. Also clearly visible are the two mainspring barrels. 26388PO & 26288OR. This specific movement comprises 338 parts, an integrated chronograph movement which has a column wheel mechanism, a heartbeat speed of 3Hz, and a power reserve of a whopping 237 hours. Royal Oak Offshore fanatics are definitely eager to understand the prices, and we’ll update the article when we are able to confirm. Each Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph 25th Anniversary version is limited to 50 pieces.

Last year Audemars Piguet Watch Gold Replica introduced the Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph in luminescent colours – that same colour palette has now been applied to the time-only Royal Oak Offshore Diver.

One of a dozen new Royal Oak models to be unveiled at SIHH 2017 tomorrow, the Royal Oak Offshore Diver “Funky Colour” is available in five different colours: white, blue, yellow, orange and green. Each dial colour has dark blue accents to match.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver white

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver blue

The dials are decorated with the chequerboard Méga Tapisserie guilloche that’s standard for the Royal Oak Offshore.

Colours aside the new Offshore Diver is identical to the previous models. The steel case is 42mm in diameter and rated to 300m, with the crown at 10 o’clock to rotate the inner elapsed time bezel around the dial. And it’s powered by the calibre 3120, AP’s in-house automatic movement.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver green

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Yellow

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver orange

The Offshore Diver “Funky Colour” is delivered with two rubber straps, one to match the dial colour, and another in dark blue.

AP has yet to reveal pricing and availability, but with the earlier versions of the same retailing for US$19,000, expect this to be similarly priced.

Individual model references are as follows:

Blue – ref. 15710ST.OO.A027CA.01
White – ref. 15710ST.OO.A010CA.01
Yellow – ref. 15710ST.OO.A051CA.01
Orange – ref. 15710ST.OO.A070CA.01
Green – ref.15710ST.OO.A038CA.01


 

 

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Cheapest All You Need to Know About the Tudor MT5813 Chronograph Movement Japanese Movement Replica

Regardless of the svelte profile though, the gold 15202 is a very heavy watch. This tactile illusion is because, of course to the fact that gold density is almost three times that of stainless steel, giving the assertive wrist presence of a far bigger sports view to one that may otherwise slip easily under the cuff of a dress shirt. When you examine the bracelet and case when considering the weight of the gold, the slender profile but solid gold look presents a contrasted personality that works well. It is safe, but a modern design icon within an old-school material.From that the dial-side, the look and texture of the 15202 is distinctly timeless — such as a classic re-issue of the original 5402 in gold. Inside though, beats a different story. It’s an ultra-thin automatic movement measuring 3.05mm thick, and characterized by a unique 2.75Hz (19,800 vibrations per hour), though that slightly lower-than-average alternance isn’t easily visible as the 15202 does not feature a running moments hand. Contrary to the 5402 that inspired it, the 15202 gets a sapphire crystal display caseback, by which the cal. 2121’s 21-carat gold strand is visible, as it glides back and forth about the round railing conducting the circumference of this movement — one of the tricks enabling the 2121’s signature thinness.In total, the 15202 will probably be available in three variants — the newest gold options (yellow gold on champagne yellow, or yellow gold on blue) join the existing stainless steel 15202 which was re-introduced back in 2012. Though the stainless steel Extra-Thin Jumbo Royal Oak starts at approximately $22,000, people looking to ‘stay gold’ could expect to part with over double that $55,000 for its 18-carat gold variations.

Nicknamed the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph “Novelty”, the 44mm version of Audemars Piguet‘s octagonal sports chronograph was not the focus of the new Royal Oak models unveiled at SIHH 2017, but nonetheless got a facelift with new dials (while keeping everything else the same). More significantly, a new version in titanium was added – the lightweight alloy’s debut for the “Novelty”.

The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 44mm in titanium (ref. 26400IO.OO.A004CA.01) features a contrasting black ceramic bezel, and paired with a dark grey dial as well as a grey rubber strap.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Novelty titanium 26400IO-1

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Novelty titanium 26400IO-2

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Novelty 26400IO

The facelifted Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in pink gold (ref. 26401RO.OO.A002CA.02) now has a black dial with pink gold accents. The hands, hour markers, chapter ring as well as printed text are all in pink gold, giving the dial greater contrast compared to the earlier model, which was white on black.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Novelty 26401RO 2

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Novelty 26401RO 1

And the last of the trio is the “Novelty” in black ceramic (ref. 26405CE.OO.A002CA.02). Unlike the earlier version that had a black and silver colour scheme, the new ceramic chronograph has a black dial with pink gold accents, as well as a touch of dark blue. The hands, hour markers and dial text are pink gold, while the chronograph hands are tipped in dark blue.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Novelty 26405CE

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Novelty 26405CE-1

As before, the trio are all powered by the calibre 3126/3840, which is AP’s in-house automatic calibre topped with a chronograph module made by Dubois-Depraz.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Novelty 2017

 Price and availability 

The titanium model is priced at SFr27,500, while the black ceramic is SFr29,000. And the pink gold is SFr41,550.


 

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Cheapest All You Need to Know About the Tudor MT5813 Chronograph Movement Japanese Movement Replica

Three new versions are being added to the Millenary collection at SIHH following month, with smaller instances and much more sparkle than ever. The Millenary is among three groups from Audemars Piguet that include ladies’ watches, but basically, it’s by far the most female-centric of their complete collections within the brand. The Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Offshore equally have ladies’ variations, but they started as, and therefore are known mainly as men’s collections. The jewelry sets are limited-edition one-offs, not made for everyday wear or pocketbooks. Gem-setting is a particular strength of this collection identifying the watches in the sportier Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore women’ pieces. At precisely the exact same time, a partially openworked dial gives the Millenary a specialized aspect — a reminder that it comes from one of the leading makers of mechanical motions. The Millenary, last updated in 2015, will be refreshed with three brand new versions at SIHH next month in Geneva, including two all-gold versions set with diamonds and a single gold case variant with a strap.The instance on the strap version has a “frosted gold” finish that gives it the appearance of hand-finished jewelry. Frosted gold is a collaboration between Audemars Piguet and Florentine jewelry designer Carolina Bucci, using a technique called the Florentine technique. It is made by employing a diamond-tipped tool to produce tiny indentations throughout the surface, culminating in a shimmering sparkle, like snow. The finish was released last year on the women’ Royal Oak. On the Millenary, it’s applied between polished sections on the stepped bezel and lugs, as well as to regions of the case side. The signature counter tops sub-dials that record minutes, hours, and seconds are set with a fresh dial material for this collection. Audemars Piguet additionally adds a style watch element to the strap version.

First introduced as a 50-piece, green dial limited edition for Singapore retailer The Hour Glass, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin in yellow gold was added to the regular line-up at SIHH 2017. And it is as good looking and expensive as it ever was.

A modern remake of the original Royal Oak “Jumbo” ref. 5402 of 1972, the Royal Oak Extra-Thin is a classic in steel and impressive in gold. It was originally available only in pink gold, which made it loud, but the yellow gold rendition comes across as slightly more classic. Yellow gold is after all one of the metals the Royal Oak was available in, back in the 1970s.

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold blue

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold blue dial

Available in either the classic dark blue or a newly introduced yellow gold finish, the Royal Oak Extra-Thin in yellow gold is physically identical to its siblings in steel and pink gold. The case is 39mm wide, thin at 8.1mm high. It cuts an elegant profile on the wrist, and is weighty despite being slim.

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold 4

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold 2

AP-Royal-Oak-Extra-Thin-yellow-gold-3

Because the case is essentially an agglomeration of flat surfaces, it feels somewhat angular on the wrist unlike its only peer, the Patek Philippe Nautilus, which is comprised more rounded shapes.

Yellow gold is not common in high-end men’s watches, especially from haute horlogerie names, but it’s an appeal look for someone who leans towards a lavish, slightly vintage feel. But like all other gold alloys, yellow gold is soft (marginally softer than white gold in fact), leaving the lovingly finished surfaces of the watch vulnerable to marring. There is perhaps no other watch that looks as good as the Royal Oak when factory fresh and pristine – the alternating polished and brushed surfaces on the case are gorgeous.

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold blue 6

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold blue 3

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold blue 7

Both the blue and gilded dials have the same quintessential chequerboard tapisserie guilloche that’s a trademark of the Royal Oak. Done by hand on a rose engine – creating the telltale motif below the chequerboard – the dials are brass but fitted with solid gold hands and hour markers. Both colours are equally handsome, but the yellow gold finish has an edge in that it’s a less common colour that’s unashamedly loud while maintaining a modicum of style.

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold 5

Mechanically the Royal Oak Extra-Thin is almost identical to the 1972 original, with the same calibre 2121 that was originally developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre as the calibre 920. A sophisticated and slim movement that’s withstood the test of time, the calibre 2121 has been slightly upgraded over the years, improving its robustness and reliability, but still lacks a quickset date – probably the singular weakness of the Royal Oak Extra-Thin.

Notably Audemars Piguet Dress Watch Replica now owns the intellectual property for the calibre 2121 and produces the movement in-house. Because its slimness makes the 2121 more challenging than a run of the mill calibre, the movement is produced at Renaud & Papi, the complications specialist owned by Audemars Piguet better known for the tourbillon movements it produces for Richard Mille.

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold blue 4

Like the calibre 2121 found in other Audemars Piguet watches, the movement inside the Extra-Thin can be customised with a personalised rotor that can be open-worked to form a variety of motifs.

Price and availability 

Available starting May 2017 at Audemars Piguet boutiques first and then at retailers, the Royal Oak Extra-Thin in yellow gold is available with a dark blue dial (ref. 15202BA.OO.1240BA.01) or a yellow gold dial (ref. 15202BA.OO.1240BA.02). Both are priced at US$55,400 or S$77,700.


 

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The black satin-brushed dial is partially skeletonized to reveal the inner workings of the watch. But because they’re rather chunky, telling the timing isn’t overly hard, but legibility is not ideal. That being said, this isn’t actually a bit where the hands will be the focus. The running seconds hand for your chronograph is glowing yellow to provide contrast against the dark dial.Finally, the individual minute markers and the mark for the 30-minute chronograph at 3 o’clock are rendered in yellow and white to offer maximum contrast and legibility. The 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock is also exceptional since it displays the elapsed minutes using a retrograde indicator. And lastly, at six o’clock is that the tourbillon.The motion is where the magic all occurs. It is obviously in-house, also it’s the calibre 2937. And like all high-end chronograph movements, it has a column-wheel and lateral clutch.What’s odd about it, however, is both gongs. Rather than mounting the gongs into the motion plate, they are attached to what Audemars Piguet calls a “sound board.” Essentially, it’s a thin membrane made from a special aluminum alloy which covers the back of the movement, held in place with screws, and also forming a water-tight seal. This clarifies how the Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie Tourbillon Chronograph watch can get a water-resistance rating of 20 meters, which may not seem like much to some casual observer, but that couldn’t be more incorrect. The 20 meters is actually quite impressive considering the intricate structure of the watch.

Last year Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watch Snob Replica unveiled a slew of Royal Oak watches in yellow gold, with a notable omission, the Royal Oak Extra-Thin “Jumbo”. As the Royal Oak marks the 40th anniversary of the first yellow gold model of 1977, that has now been rectified with a pair that will make their debut at SIHH 2017.

The new Royal Oak Extra-Thin watches in 18k yellow gold join the 50-piece limited edition made for Singapore retailer The Hour Glass last year, with both the case and bracelet in yellow gold.

The Royal Oak “Jumbo” for The Hour Glass with a dark green dial

While the version for The Hour Glass had a green dial, the two new additions to the collection are in dark blue and yellow gold respectively. Both dials are finished in the traditional style of the Royal Oak, decorated with Petite Tapisserie guilloche and featuring yellow gold applied markers and hands.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Yellow Gold 3

The case diameter is 39mm, the exact same diameter as the 1977 original “Jumbo”, though the sapphire display back means the modern iteration is slightly thicker than the solid back original.

But the movement inside remains the 2121, the slim, self-winding calibre originally developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre but now made by Audemars Piguet.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Yellow Gold 1

Price and availability 

The Royal Oak Extra-Thin in yellow gold with a blue dial is the ref. 15202BA.OO.1240BA.01, while the same with a matching yellow gold dial is the ref. 15202BA.OO.1240BA.02. Both are priced at US$55,400.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Yellow Gold 4


 

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While Audemars Piguet Watch Dimples In Your Necktie Replica has received quite a lot of flak in the past for what several collectors perceive as milking the Royal Oak fame a bit too much, I think the option available within the range is a superb thing. Not everyone is able to afford a tourbillon chronograph, and not everybody wants just a time-only watch. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked Material Good watch includes a bracelet of the identical substance as the instance and an extra alligator leather strap. It’s accessible at Audemars Piguet stores and the Material Good store in NY for $297,000 for the pink variation and $261,000 for the titanium version. Audemars Piguet has been producing some of the most technically interesting watches in their Royal Oak Concept collection for the last few years. Last year they showed off the Royal Oak Concept Laptimer, an exceptionally complex chronograph with three column wheels that could quantify consecutive lap times. And earlier this season, they introduced the both complex Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie Tourbillon Chronograph view, a minute repeater exemplifying Audemars Piguet’s obsession with all sound clarity and quality.Of program, it’d be unkind to show you pictures and tell you about this watch’s amazing sound without a movie to let you hear that, so do play the movie over to listen to it on your own. The minute repeater complication is frequently regarded as one of the most difficult and… well, complicated to make – so imagine how difficult it’s to create one from scratch. The next thing to keep in mind is that Audemars Piguet didn’t just wish to create a new minute repeater see, they desired to create one which would be the very best.

Three years ago Audemars Piguet gave its bestselling sports chronograph a major overhaul with an in-house movement as well as ceramic buttons and crown. Now a quartet of new models unveiled at SIHH 2017 joins the second generation Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph line-up, including a heavyweight version with a platinum case and bracelet.

The basic models are in stainless steel, starting with the blue on black (ref. 26470ST.OO.A028CR.01). This has a black dial with dark blue chronograph registers, matched with a dark blue chapter ring and alligator strap.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26470ST-OO-A028CR

The other steel model has a brown dial (ref. 26470ST.OO.A820CR.01) fitted with pink gold hands.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26470ST

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 2017 steel

Then there’s the 18k yellow gold that has a blue dial and gilt sub-dials (ref. 26470BA.OO.1000BA.01) that’s anything but subtle. This is delivered on a matching 18k gold bracelet, but accompanied by a spare alligator strap and 18k gold pin buckle.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore pink gold and platinum

The top of the line version is the all-platinum (ref. 26470PT.OO.1000PT.01) that marks the return of the model to the catalogue after a hiatus of several years. Impractically but impressively heavy – it tips the scales at over a pound or half a kilo – the platinum Offshore is a limited edition of 50 pieces with a pale grey dial and black sub-dials. Like the yellow gold model, it’s accompanied by a spare alligator strap with a platinum pin buckle.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore platinum 26470PT 1

All four models share the same specs, with a 42mm case featuring a sapphire case back that reveals the calibre 3126/3840 inside.

Price and availability 

The new Offshore Chronographs are available from Audemars Piguet retailers and boutiques, with Swiss francs priced excluding taxes as follows.

Steel and black ref. 26470ST.OO.A028CR.01 – SFr23,500

Steel and brown ref. 26470ST.OO.A820CR.01 – SFr24,000

18k yellow gold ref. 26470BA.OO.1000BA.01 – SFr78,000

950 platinum ref. 26470PT.OO.1000PT.01 – SFr122,000


 

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What is left of the “dial” is basically a satin-brushed, ruthenium-toned ring around the edge and the two anthracite sub-dials. There is a rehaut printed using a minute chapter ring too. In my experience, legibility isn’t the strongest suit to get a skeletonized watch, but that is less of a problem in the case of the watch. The use of pink gold applied hour markers and pink golden baton-shaped hands, both full of lume, should offer sufficient legibility in most lighting conditions. The “Audemars Piguet” logo is printed on the surface of the sapphire crystal on the front, and this gives it a pleasant floating effect.The sub-dials are easy with white printed text and white baton-shaped hands. The sub-dial in 3:00 indicates chronograph minutes and also the one at 9:00 shows constant seconds. 1 potential issue with legibility must do with the chronograph seconds hand, which can be black with a lumed white hint. Between how thin the hand is and also the color, studying the chronograph elapsed time may be more cumbersome than individuals may like. It is not easy to say for sure until we get our hands on a tangible example of the watch.I’ve left the situation and bracelet description to the past because these are a few of the most recognizable areas of the watch. This is the same Gerald Genta design that’s popular among several collectors however with 44mm by 13.2mm case measurements. This is a somewhat large watch with a broad bezel on both the front and back. Each of the right lines and sharp angles also give it a bigger look. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph can be obtained in two case substances — titanium and rose gold. There will be the obvious visual differences in the two materials but what I find more intriguing is that titanium is generally a light material with high tensile strength, while gold is a dense but soft material. What this signifies is that the experience of wearing each variant should be significantly different, and that I personally find this interesting.

Audemars Piguet prudently relied almost entirely on the Royal Oak for its SIHH 2017 line-up, which was well received despite the design being well know, proving the power of the octagonal watch.

[NB: All prices are in Swiss francs, before taxes and provisional, being subject to change.]

The headliner of the collection was the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ceramic, announced just before the fair. It is exactly what the name implies, the Royal Oak perpetual in black ceramic.

What makes it novel is the ceramic bracelet, which is a first for AP. The rest of the watch – 41mm size, calibre 5134 movement and design – is identical to the standard model.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Black Ceramic 01

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Black Ceramic 03

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Black Ceramic 04

There’s a lot of black ceramic on this watch, and it is beautifully finished. AP arguably does the best surface finishing for ceramic in watchmaking, being able to give it a lustre and texture similar to metal.

Both the bracelet and case have the alternating brushed and mirror surfaces that characterise the Royal Oak (though the grain of the matte finish is distinct from that of metal), giving the watch a gleaming, urbane look.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Black Ceramic 02

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Black Ceramic 05

But because ceramic is a pale black, rather than deep and dense colour, and also remains glossy even when it is matte finished, the watch is quite shiny. As the saying goes you can’t have too much of a good thing, but there is a lot of black ceramic in this.

Priced at SFr85,000 or about US$85,000, the ceramic perpetual costs less than the gold version (about US$95,000) but a lot more than the steel (US$60,000 or so). The premium is attributable to the difficulty of polishing ceramic – the case and bracelet takes six time as long to finish as the steel model.


Another existing model in new livery is the Royal Oak Chronograph 41mm. This has been facelifted with two-tone dials, enlarged chronograph registers, as well as more legible markers and hands. Several models are available in both pink gold and stainless steel, but the most compelling is the boutique-only titanium and platinum version.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Titanium Platinum 1

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Titanium Platinum 3

With a blue and grey dial that is reminiscent of the first ever Royal Oak Offshore in titanium, the new chronograph offers another appealing throwback with the bi-metal case.

Both the bezel and centre links of the bracelet are polished platinum (AP always gives platinum a polished surface on bi-metal watches), while the rest is brushed titanium. Perhaps because of the platinum bits, or maybe just its psychological effect, this feels heavier than a titanium watch would.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Titanium Platinum 2

The movement inside the restyled Royal Oak Chronograph is the Frederic Piguet calibre 1185, a movement that was designed 30 years ago. It’s slim, small and sophisticated, but well, 30 years old, proving beyond doubt that the any design as iconic as the Royal Oak is all about aesthetics.

The Royal Oak Chronograph starts at SFr21,930 in stainless steel, rising to  SFr34,650 for the pink gold on strap, and SFr51,240 for the pink gold on bracelet. And the titanium and platinum version is SFr37,000.


The Royal Oak Extra-Thin in yellow gold is another historical reboot. Originally available only in steel or pink gold, the Royal Oak “Jumbo”, as it is sometimes known, was also made in a 50-piece run in yellow gold with a dark green dial for Singapore retailer The Hour Glass.

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold blue dial

Now yellow gold has joined the regular collection, matched with either a dark blue blue or matching yellow gold dial. Both look good – being essentially a remake of the original 1972 Royal Oak, the “Jumbo” is a classic in a league of its own – and the champagne dial in particular harks back to the early models giving it a satisfying retro style.

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold 1

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold 2

The watch is hefty and gorgeously finished, with endless brushed and polished surfaces that make it feel a bit precious, like all gold Royal Oaks.

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold blue 3

Everything else about the watch is identical to the existing versions, including the 39mm case and calibre 2121 inside.

AP Royal Oak Extra Thin yellow gold blue 4

These cost SFr50,130 in either colour.


The Royal Oak Offshore Diver “Funky Colour” takes after the Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph unveiled at SIHH last year. It’s essentially a range of Offshore Divers in candy colours of white, blue, yellow, orange and green.

AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver white 1

AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver white 2

Hefty and solid in the hand, the colours are appealing in a fun sort of way, but at the expense of the seriousness of the watch.

These are all spec’ed the same as the basic models: 42mm steel case with inner rotating bezel and a see-through back showing the calibre 3120 inside. What is different, besides the main dial colour, is the dark blue (instead of the usual black) accents on the dial, bezel and rubber coverings for the crowns.

And all of them have glow in the dark Super-Luminova on the hands and hour markers, save for the white dial model.

AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver green 1

The new Offshore Diver is part of the regular collection, and not a limited edition like the chronograph. Both the green and white are available only at AP boutiques, while the others will also be offered by retailers.

They are priced at SFr17,190 each.


Previewed well before SIHH, the Royal Oak Frosted Gold is a ladies’ watch that’s a striking reinterpretation of the classic design. While the size and even shape of the Royal Oak has varied over the years, it has always been consistently finished with brushed and polished surfaces.

The Frosted Gold appropriates a technique from Florentine jewellery to create a grained surface. A diamond-tipped tool is used to create a dimpled surface that catches the light nicely, leaving the case a notable sparkle.

AP Royal Oak Frosted Gold pink gold 1

AP Royal Oak Frosted Gold pink gold 2

The frosted surface, however, is not as fine as that shown in the stock images. In the flesh the dimpling is more pronounced, and presumably more durable. Refinishing such a surface must be well nigh impossible.

AP Royal Oak Frosted Gold white gold 1

AP Royal Oak Frosted Gold white gold 2

Available only in pink or white gold, the Royal Oak Frosted Gold is offered in two sizes. The larger 37mm has the automatic calibre 3120 inside and costs SFr51,500 in white gold and SFr46,500 in pink gold.

The smaller 33mm model is quartz, priced at SFr42,500 in white gold and SFr37,500 in pink gold.


And the highlight of the line-up that is not a Royal Oak is the Diamond Outrage. A follow-up to last year’s punky Diamond Fury, the Diamond Outrage is all spikes and lives up to its name.

Audemars Piguet Diamond Outrage 1

Audemars Piguet Diamond Outrage 2

With only two unique examples made – one set entirely with diamonds and the other a mix of diamonds and sapphires – the Diamond Outrage is covered in spikes of varying lengths, ranging from 29.30mm 40.0mm.

Essentially an intricately hand-made, jewelled bangle with a tiny quartz movement inside, the Diamond Outrage is not something for the faint hearted but impressively bold. It’s priced at just over SFr1m.


 

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Now, the “best” for Audemars Piguet signifies their attempting to make the most clear and crisp sound of any moment repeater. The brand points to three achievements demonstrated within this watch, which I shall briefly run through. First, the special preparation of the steel used to produce the gong arrangement allows the watchmakers to more accurately and easily correct and hone the pitch, tone, and stability of the minute repeater. Second, the way the case is built reduces sound absorption and maximizes amplification. I’ll examine this “soundboard” procedure more a little bit later on. Finally, the striking regulator is redesigned so that the anchor system acts as a shock absorber, minimizing shock noise.One of the most important components of a minute repeater watch is that the situation since it is responsible for broadening the sound. It’s often said that gold would be the ideal material for the task because it generates a richer sound, but the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie Tourbillon Chronograph watch opts for titanium. Titanium is a very light and strong alloy, and its low density enables sound to pass through with less resistance. In case you have any questions about that, you only have to check at exotic supercars and their titanium exhausts. Titanium is also used elsewhere round the watch to improve the quality of the noise, but more with this later.The use of titanium also means that despite the watch’s sizable measurements, at 44mm wide and 16.5mm thick, it still stays light and comfortable to wear. And thanks to its unique aesthetic, the situation design immediately identifies the opinion as a Royal Oak Concept and nothing else.It goes without saying that the instance is completed to an impeccably high standard with contrasting finishing. The bezel has mirror polished edges and features a satin-brushed finish on the surface, which matches the exposed polished 18k white gold twist heads. The case was sandblasted and has a matte finish that juxtaposes very well with the more slender bezel. The large crown and chronograph pushers have been made from ceramic.

Five years after its launch, the Royal Oak Chronograph 41mm has been restyled for SIHH 2017. Audemars Piguet kept the fundamentals the same, applying some minor tweaks to the dial to give it a sportier look (compare it with the earlier version).

All the new Royal Oak Chronograph variants feature two-tone dials, with the sub-dials in contrasting colours. Another obvious change are the enlarged registers for elapsed minute and hours, while that for the constant seconds has been reduced. This improves legibility somewhat, since elapsed time has to be read, while the sub-seconds is merely a reminder that the watch is running.

RO_26331OR-OO-D315CR-01_2_closeup_Original

To the same end, the hour markers are now wider and shorter, with a broader strip of Super-Luminova for increased nighttime glow; the same has been done for the hands as well (the counterweight of the seconds hand now has luminescent paint as well).

All the Royal Oak Chronograph 41mm models are equipped with the calibre 2385, which is actually the Frederic Piguet 1185, a compact and slim automatic movement.

RO_26331OR-OO-D821CR-01_SDT_Original_001

The new range includes four models in pink gold, in either blue or brown, accompanied by either an alligator strap or matching gold bracelet, as well as three in stainless steel with black, white or blue dials.

All in stainless steel, except the bottom right in titanium and platinum

Ti and Pt

And most intriguing, the line-up also includes the Royal Oak Chronograph 41mm in titanium and platinum (ref. 26331IP.OO.1220IP.01).

This unusual, boutique-only model has most of the case and bracelet in brushed titanium, with the bezel and centre links of the bracelet in polished platinum for a striking contrast of surface finishes.

And the dial is grey with the sub-dials and minute chapter ring in dark blue, the same combination of colours found on the first generation Royal Oak Offshore in titanium.

The version in titanium and platinum

Pricing and availability have yet to be announced.


 

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Now, the “best” for Audemars Piguet signifies their striving to make the very crisp and clear sound of any minute repeater. The brand points to three accomplishments demonstrated within this particular watch, which I shall briefly run through. To begin with, the special preparation of the steel used to produce the gong arrangement allows the watchmakers to more accurately and easily correct and enhance the pitch, tone, and stability of this second repeater. Second, the method by which the situation is constructed reduces sound absorption and maximizes amplification. I will examine this “soundboard” procedure a bit later on. Last, the striking regulator is redesigned so the anchor system behaves like a shock absorber, minimizing shock noise.One of the most important components of a minute repeater watch is the situation since it is responsible for broadening the sound. Titanium is a very light and strong alloy, and its low density enables sound to pass through with less resistance. If you have any questions about this, you just need to check at exotic supercars and their titanium exhausts. Titanium is also used elsewhere around the watch to enhance the quality of the noise, but more with this later.The use of titanium also means that despite the watch’s sizable measurements, at 44mm wide and 16.5mm thick, it still stays light and comfy to wear. And due to its unique aesthetic, the case design immediately identifies the opinion as a Royal Oak Concept and nothing else.It goes without mentioning that the instance is finished to an impeccably high standard with contrasting finishing. The bezel has mirror polished borders and includes a satin-brushed finish on the top, which complements the exposed polished 18k white gold twist heads. The case was sandblasted and features a matte finish which juxtaposes quite well with the more slender bezel. The large crown and chronograph pushers are made from ceramic.

Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak Frosted Gold last year to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first ladies’ Royal Oak, yet the watch garnered significant attention from a male audience despite being aimed squarely at women. In fact, at SIHH earlier this year, AP boss Francois-Henry Bennahmias was wearing a prototype men’s Royal Oak ref. 15400 with the same frosted gold finish. As anticipated, the prototype has made it into production – in a limited edition, no less.

That “frosted” decoration is the result of a collaboration between the Le Brassus watchmaker and Florentine jeweller Carolina Bucci, whose signature technique involves hammering gold with a diamond-tipped tool to create minute indentations on the surface. The result is a fine, tactile and sparkly finish – a decidedly modern approach that mimics the look of gem-encrustation without the jewels.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold 41mm 2

Understandably, applying this jewellery technique to the angular lines of the Gérald Genta-design came with its challenges. The team had to ensure that the finishing would neither alter the clean lines of the hallmark octagonal bezel nor the fluidity of the bracelet. Consequently, the finishing has to be applied by hand to individual components one at a time. In effect, this hand-finishing technique ensures that each watch is different.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold 41mm

The Frosted Gold watches were originally only available in 33m and 37mm versions for ladies, which were equipped with a quartz calibre and the automatic cal. 3120 respectively. Now the 41mm Frosted Gold for men is powered by the in-house cal. 3120 automatic. It is available only in white gold with a blue “Grande Tapisserie” dial.

Price and Availability

The Royal Oak Frosted Gold for men (ref. 15410BC.GG.1224BC.01) is a limited edition of 200 pieces, and is priced at US$55,000.