Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin (RD#3)

Audemars Piguet has introduced a striking expansion to its Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin (RD#3) lineup with a new rendition crafted from 18-carat white gold, meticulously designed in a 37 mm case size. This latest masterpiece is inspired by the aesthetic and technical achievements of the earlier 39 mm and 37 mm RD#3 models launched in stainless steel during the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak series in 2022.

This iteration stands out with its lavish embellishment of baguette-cut diamonds set along the bezel, creating an opulent interplay of light, and is distinguished by a Petite Tapisserie dial in a novel deep smoked blue hue, offering a fresh colorway that enriches the iconic design language of the collection.

The 37 mm timepiece is encapsulated in an extra-thin 18-carat white gold case and bracelet, both exquisitely finished with Audemars Piguet’s signature blend of satin brushing and polished chamfers, designed to interact with light in a manner reminiscent of the sparkling facets of a meticulously cut diamond. The addition of 32 baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel not only enhances the timepiece’s radiant allure but also complements its multifaceted architecture, reinforcing the brand’s mastery in creating watches that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are technically sophisticated.

Echoing the pioneering spirit of the original “Jumbo” model that has inspired the RD#3 design ethos, this new variant manages to encapsulate the grandeur and complexity of a flying tourbillon within the refined dimensions of a 37 mm case. The watch’s slender profile, measuring just 8.1 mm in thickness, marks it as the most svelte gold model within the 37 mm Royal Oak assortment, blending elegance with ergonomic precision.

The dial, adorned with a new smoked blue Petite Tapisserie pattern achieved through Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) and an intricate application of black varnish to create a smoked effect, showcases a gradient that intensifies from the center outward.

This artful execution enhances the dial’s textured pattern, providing a dynamic backdrop for the baguette-cut diamond hour markers and the luminescent-filled white gold hands, ensuring optimal legibility under varying lighting conditions. Positioned at 6 o’clock, the titanium flying tourbillon cage, featuring a rhodium-toned balance wheel, stands as a crowning achievement, adding a layer of visual intrigue to the dial’s composition.

Powering this exquisite timepiece is the ultra-thin Calibre 2968, a marvel of modern watchmaking that demonstrates Audemars Piguet’s expertise in integrating complex complications into slender cases without compromising on functionality or aesthetic appeal. This movement, notable for its 3.4 mm thickness, is a showcase of advanced horological engineering, offering a flying tourbillon mechanism that combats the effects of gravity to enhance the watch’s precision.

The calibre’s design also emphasizes aesthetic beauty, with openworked rhodium-toned bridges visible through the sapphire caseback, revealing the symmetrical beauty and the intricate inner workings of the movement, complemented by the oscillating weight in rhodium-toned 22-carat pink gold.