A horological bouquet from Audemars Piguet
Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet has unveiled a veritable bouquet of horological offerings to its various lines, such as the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet, the Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Offshore. The Manufacture’s latest in-house integrated chronograph, Calibre 4401, is the star of the show, making its appearance in all of these new models. We bring you the details…
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph
Audemars Piguet evolves the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph collection with two pioneering models bringing together 18-carat white or pink gold with black ceramics, with a highly contemporary two-tone case design. While the bezel, lugs and caseback are of 18-carat white or pink gold, the octagonal middle case is of black ceramic.
The ceramic middle case was crafted in collaboration with Bangerter, a Swiss family-owned company that specialises in the manufacture of precision components made of advanced ceramics. The manufacturing of the watches’ middle case follows a complex industrial flow. The ceramic and gold components of the case have been all hand-finished with the brand’s trademark alternation of satin brushing and polished chamfers.
The 18-carat pink and white gold models are complemented by a smoked dark grey dial with a vertical satin-finished base, matching the refined satin-brushing adorning the case. The black chronograph counters and inner bezel add depth to the dial, while subtly recalling the case’s black ceramic octagonal middle case. The 18-carat pink or white gold hour-markers and hands add a touch of brightness.
These two models are powered by Calibre 4401, the manufacture’s latest in-house integrated chronograph with column wheel and flyback function that enables to restart the chronograph without stopping or resetting it first. With their selfwinding mechanism, 70 hours of power reserve and water resistance to 30m, the two Selfwinding Chronographs are suited to an active lifestyle.
Calibre 4401 is further equipped with a vertical clutch system that prevents hands from jumping when the chronograph is started or stopped, as well as a patented zero resetting mechanism ensuring that each one of the counter hands is seamlessly reset to zero.
The sapphire caseback offers a view of the case of the column wheel and the so-called “dance” of the chronograph hammers – when the reset button is activated, the hammers, driven by an operating lever, hit the chronograph’s heart-piece cams to bring the chronograph wheels and hands back to zero.
The collection’s dedicated 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight as well as other elegant decorations such as “Côtes de Genève,” “traits tirés” and circular graining can also be admired through the sapphire caseback. The two Selfwinding Chronograph models are complemented with a black rubber-coated calfskin leather strap.
Royal Oak Offshore 43mm
Audemars Piguet debuted a new Royal Oak Offshore line in 43mm with 5 models in stainless steel, 18-carat pink gold or titanium, representing the first redesign of the line since the evolution of the 44 mm collection in early 2000. The new cases present larger polished chamfers on the edges, while the bezel as well as the screw-locked crown and chronograph pushpieces follow a slight curvature. Except for the all-titanium version, the other timepieces feature a ceramic bezel for a two-tone contrast. The glareproofed sapphire crystal curved from 6 to 12 o’clock seamlessly fits the curvature of the bezel and completes the overall design, while the iconic alternation of hand-polished chamfers and satin-brushed finishing adorn the case and bezel.
The characteristic “Méga Tapisserie” pattern adorning the dial, available in black, grey, taupe and blue hues, has been newly designed to offer enhanced contrast and high-end finishing. The chronograph counters have also been rearranged to improve legibility: the minute counter now appears at 9 o’clock, while the hour counter is at 3 o’clock. The date window has been moved closer to the inner bezel between 4 and 5 o’clock, while the small seconds counter is at 6 o’clock. The new Royal Oak Offshore logo – the applied gold AP initials – appear at 12 o’clock, with the more assertive gold Royal Oak hands.
The new line houses the Calibre 4401 – a selfwinding chronograph movement equipped with a column wheel and the flyback function that enables to restart the chronograph without stopping or resetting it first. It also features a vertical clutch system that prevents hands from jumping when the chronograph is started or stopped, as well as a patented zero resetting mechanism ensuring that each one of the counter hands is seamlessly reset to zero.
The movement’s dedicated blackened 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight and refined decorations, can be admired through the sapphire caseback, which also reveals the column wheel and the so-called “dance” of the chronograph hammers. With its selfwinding mechanism, 70 hours of power reserve and water resistance to 100 m, Calibre 4401 perfectly complements the Royal Oak Offshore.
The new line features the interchangeability system that has been directly integrated into the buckle and case’s studs. The ease and efficiency of the new system will allow clients to change the straps and buckles of their new timepiece themselves with a quick click and release. Rubber straps in black, blue, grey and brown hues adorn the different models, along with the AP pin buckle. Two additional interchangeable calfskin straps in beige or brown, as well as a black alligator strap are also available.
Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph
Audemars Piguet unveils a new evolution of the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph. Housed within a 41mm 18-carat pink gold case, this model is equipped for the first time with the latest generation chronograph movement, the Selfwinding Manufacture Calibre 4401, visible through the watch’s sapphire caseback. Two dial options – executed in blue or brown hues – are available.
For the first time, the selfwinding Manufacture integrated chronograph, Calibre 4401, launched in 2019 within the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet, appears in the Royal Oak collection. This movement features a column wheel and the flyback function that enables to restart the chronograph without stopping or resetting it first. The column wheel works in collaboration with a vertical clutch system. When the chronograph is started or stopped, the hands respond accordingly without any hint of jumping. Furthermore, the pushpieces feel smoother when pressed. A patented zero resetting mechanism ensures that each one of the counter hands instantaneously resets to zero.
For the first time, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph has been fitted with a sapphire caseback, affording sight of the integrated chronograph’s column wheel and the so-called “dance” of the chronograph hammers. The wearer is granted views of the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight and refined finishing throughout. The case, which has been modified to accommodate the new movement, now has a slightly thicker height of 12.4 mm.
The dial features a “Grande Tapisserie” pattern and pairs blue or brown hues with pink gold-toned counters, pink gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. The Manufacture has subtly updated the dial design. The positions of the minute counter and hour counter have been reversed, augmenting readability, while the date disc is located closer to the inner bezel. The model is available with a matching 18-carat pink gold bracelet or a colour-coordinated alligator strap.
