Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon
Highlighted by the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock, these watches combine elegance and contemporary flair, powered by the selfwinding Calibre 2950 with a 65-hour power reserve. Share
Audemars Piguet has launced two novel iterations of its Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon—introducing a new set of design-centric dials which undoubtedly stole the show. Available in either stainless steel or 18-carat pink gold, these 41 mm references are distinguished by a smoked burgundy sunburst dial and a combination of grey and ivory for the dial respectively. These fresh hues underscore the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock, endowing both timepieces with a sophisticated and modern demeanor.
Although rendered in distinct materials, these additions to the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon lineup in 41 mm inherit numerous design elements characteristic of the collection. The cases and bracelets in stainless steel or 18-carat pink gold feature satin-brushed textures and polished bevels that interact dynamically with light. The design ensures optimal comfort, with the bracelet’s initial links tapering for a seamless fit, and the caseback designed to nestle snugly against the wrist.
On the dial, the golden or rhodium-plated “Audemars Piguet” inscription, created through galvanic growth, adorns the 12 o’clock position. It is accompanied by faceted gold hour-markers and Royal Oak hands, all filled with luminescent coating to ensure visibility in low light conditions.
The stainless steel variant exudes a more athletic aesthetic, contrasted sharply by a smoked burgundy dial that captures attention. Achieving this intense burgundy requires the application of a semi-transparent lacquer over the sunburst-finished dial, a process demanding precise craftsmanship to meet Audemars Piguet’s stringent quality criteria.
The dial’s stainless steel composition, juxtaposed against the burgundy background, features 18-carat white gold hour-markers and Royal Oak hands for clear readability. These elements harmonize with the flying tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock, which showcases the movement’s rhodium-plated parts as it rotates, enhancing the watch’s precision by mitigating gravity’s influence.
Conversely, the second model boasts an 18-carat pink gold case and bracelet, lending it an air of elegance. The dial’s two-tone design offers a gentle visual contrast, with a center in grey achieved through galvanic deposition and complemented by a sandblasted finish for added texture. The outer rim’s ivory shade subtly interacts with the timepiece’s grey and pink gold tones.
Audemars Piguet introduced its inaugural flying tourbillon wristwatch in the Royal Oak Concept collection in 2018. These latest models are powered by the selfwinding Calibre 2950, which marries a flying tourbillon with a central rotor. This mechanism, with a slim profile of 6.2 mm and operating at a 3 Hz frequency, boasts a 65-hour power reserve.
The meticulously hand-finished flying tourbillon cage is visible from both the dial and caseback, offering a glimpse into the watch’s operational heart. The sapphire caseback displays the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight—rhodium-plated in the steel version—and showcases the movement’s exquisite finishing, including Côtes de Genève, satin and sunray brushing, circular graining, and hand-polished edges.
