Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding

Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet has launched a literally golden addition to its iconic Royal Oak collection: a new Frosted Gold Selfwinding model that brilliantly showcases the brand’s mastery in combining traditional craftsmanship with avant-garde design. This timepiece, presented in a 37mm case size, is meticulously crafted from 18-carat yellow gold, making it a perfect choice for enthusiasts with a preference for more petite wristwear. The watch’s allure is magnified by its unique Frosted Gold finish.

The new Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding model stands out with its entire case and matching bracelet adorned with a hammered finish, famously known as Frosted Gold. This finish is the result of a collaboration with jewellery designer Carolina Bucci, applying an ancient Florentine technique that creates a captivating sparkle on the gold surface.

Achieved by chiseling the gold with a diamond-tipped tool, this technique produces a myriad of tiny indentations that give the metal a shimmering effect reminiscent of frost, hence its name. This intricate finish, first introduced to the Royal Oak collection in 2016, exemplifies the brand’s commitment to elevating traditional jewelry techniques into the realm of haute horlogerie.

Complementing the Frosted Gold’s textured brilliance, the case and bracelet feature polished chamfers and satin-finished surfaces that further enhance the play of light on the watch, underlining the Royal Oak’s distinctive aesthetic codes. The choice of yellow gold, which saw its debut on a Royal Oak in 1977 and made a noteworthy comeback in 2018, adds a classic yet contemporary allure to the timepiece, appealing to a wide range of collectors and aficionados.

The dial of this remarkable timepiece is a masterpiece in itself, displaying a new smoked gold hue achieved through a galvanic bath, paired with a sunburst finish that adds depth and contrast. The addition of a smoked effect, applied by hand with a technique involving black spray varnish, creates a stunning gradient that fades from the dial’s edge to its center. This labor-intensive process requires exceptional precision, resulting in a visually striking dial that features darker tones around its periphery, seamlessly transitioning to lighter tones towards the center.

Enhancing the dial’s legibility are the facetted yellow gold hour-markers and Royal Oak hands, filled with luminescent material to ensure time can be easily read in low light conditions. The dial is further accentuated with the seconds scale and “Swiss Made” inscription printed in white, offering a sharp contrast against the smoked backdrop. A discreet date window at 3 o’clock maintains the dial’s aesthetic harmony, while the 24-carat gold “Audemars Piguet” logo, electroplated with black rhodium, is prominently placed at 12 o’clock, adding a refined touch to the overall design.

Powering this exquisite model is the Calibre 5900, Audemars Piguet’s latest selfwinding movement designed specifically for the 37mm case size. Introduced in 2022, this movement is celebrated for its slim profile, measuring just 3.9mm in thickness, yet boasting a high frequency of 4Hz and a generous 60-hour power reserve. Visible through the sapphire caseback, the Calibre 5900 reveals its inner beauty, featuring a 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight and meticulously decorated components, including polished angles, vertical satin brushing, Côtes de Genève, circular graining, sunray finishing, and chamfering.