Audemars Piguet adds new colour and vitality to its Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin collection.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the brand’s iconic Royal Oak timepiece, Audemars Piguet has introduced the newest generation of 39mm Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin (ref. 16202). Each of the four new models, presented in stainless steel, platinum, and 18-carat pink and yellow gold, houses the Manufacture’s new self-winding extra-thin movement, Calibre 7121 and are fitted with the dedicated Royal Oak’s “50 years” oscillating weight, matched to the hue of the case.
READ: Why You Should be Drinking White Russians This Spring
For the first time since 1972, the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin welcomes a new self-winding hour, minute and date movement, the Calibre 7121. This mechanism replaces Calibre 2121, the thinnest automatic movement with central rotor and date indication of its time (3.05 mm) first introduced on the Royal Oak in 1972, and which was retired at the end of 2021.
The new movement, which measures 3.2 mm in thickness and is the result of five years of development, has been specifically conceived and produced by Audemars Piguet engineers and watchmakers to fit in the extra-thin 8.1 mm “Jumbo” case without altering its aesthetic and thickness. Furthermore, the driving stem is now endowed with a rapid date-corrector.
The new movement is endowed with more energy than its predecessor thanks to its new construction, while its larger barrel confers it more power, making it more precise for a longer period of time. It is also equipped with a contemporary central oscillating weight mounted on ball bearings that utilises two reversers, while its balance wheel is fitted with inertia blocks that have been directly inserted within the balance wheel to avoid unnecessary friction.
READ: Samui Has a Sexy New Hideaway
Upholding fine watchmaking tradition, Calibre 7121 has been finished with refined Haute Horlogerie decorations such as “Côtes de Genève,” “traits tirés” and circular graining that can be admired through the watch’s sapphire caseback.
The new Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin timepieces are fitted with the dedicated anniversary openworked oscillating weight in 22-carat gold, which features the “50 years” logo and the engraved Audemars Piguet signature. For the occasion, the oscillating weight has been matched to the colour of each case – a practice usually reserved for complicated timepieces. Similarly to the case, the oscillating weight has been finished with an alternation of satin-finishing and polished chamfers.
The stainless steel “Jumbo” version has retained the aesthetics of the original Royal Oak from 1972. The steel case and bracelet, hand-finished with satin-brushing and polished chamfers, are complemented with the watch’s iconic Petite Tapisserie dial and Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 (“night blue, cloud 50”) hue.
READ: Leica Creates New M11 Camera
Similarly to the Royal Oak from 1972, this new “Jumbo” model has kept the original baignoire or “bathtub”-shaped hour-markers and hands, as well as the polished gold applied AP monogram at 6 o’clock. However, contrary to the original model, the sapphire caseback grants view of the new extra-thin movement and the dedicated anniversary oscillating weight, here in rhodium-toned 22-carat pink gold to echo the colour of the watch’s steel case and bracelet.
The new “Jumbo” collection also includes pink gold and yellow gold models, both enhanced with the trademark Petite Tapisserie dial in new smoked shades. The 18-carat pink gold model is contrasted with smoked grey hues, while the 18-carat yellow gold version is illuminated with smoked yellow-gold tones. The two dials’ colours have been obtained through a galvanic bath, while the smoked effect, which has been achieved by meticulously spraying coloured varnish onto the rotating dial’s periphery, furthers the Tapisserie’s shimmering moiré effect.
The two new timepieces are complimented with matching gold hour-markers, Royal Oak hands and AP monogram – all endowed with the original Royal Oak’s aesthetics. In addition, the corresponding 22-carat pink or yellow gold anniversary oscillating weight can be admired through the sapphire caseback.
Reserved for the AP Houses, the new hand-finished 950 platinum model boasts a smoked green dial, whose base is decorated with a sunburst pattern. The vivid green shade is obtained by adding drops of green colouring to the dial’s protective varnish. The smoked effect on the dial’s periphery accentuates the colour’s intensity while giving it more depth.
The dial is punctuated by the traditional “Jumbo” applied hour-markers, AP monogram at 6 o’clock and baignoire-shaped Royal Oak hands, all crafted in white gold. They are echoed by the dedicated anniversary oscillating weight in rhodium-toned 22-carat pink gold visible through the sapphire caseback.
For more Collectables inspiration click here.
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? FOLLOW ALPHA MEN ASIA ON FACEBOOK, OR INSTAGRAM AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HONG KONG-CENTRIC NEWSLETTER HERE
