Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is pleased to announce the release of two new versions of the Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding Chronograph equipped with the latest generation chronograph movement, the Calibre 4401, now visible through a sapphire caseback. Presented in a choice of 18-carat white or pink gold, the two 41 mm timepieces are respectively complemented with a “Grande Tapisserie” black or blue dial enriched with contrasting counters matching with the case’s colour.
Tonal contrast
Audemars Piguet has matched the hue of the case and bracelet with the tone of the counters positioned on the “Grande Tapisserie” dial. The white gold model features a black dial with contrasting rhodium-toned counters, while the pink gold option combines a blue dial with pink goldtoned counters. The play with contrasts augments readability and imbues the composition with a modern and graceful look. The applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands, adorned with luminescent coating, are formed of 18-carat gold, matching the shade of the case. The minute counter and hour counter have been repositioned, improving legibility, while the date window is located closer to the inner bezel.
An artisanal process
The case and bracelet are decorated with Frosted Gold and polished chamfers, evincing a shimmering sparkle depending on the prevailing light. The Frosted Gold finishing takes inspiration from an ancient Florentine jewellery technique, reinterpreted by Carolina Bucci in her contemporary jewellery creations. The jewellery designer assisted the Manufacture’s craftspeople in developing it into a horological craft suited to the Royal Oak’s case and bracelet. The resultant “diamond-dust” effect is achieved by gently tapping the case and bracelet with a diamond-tipped tool. This artisanal process imbues the various surfaces with small indentations which exhibit a brilliant appearance similar to that of precious stones.
A fully integrated chronograph visible through the sapphire caseback
At the heart of this watch is the Manufacture’s latest generation chronograph movement, the selfwinding Calibre 4401, now visible through the sapphire caseback. It is fully integrated and features a column wheel and a flyback function. Unlike a regular chronograph, the flyback function allows the wearer to stop, reset and start the chronograph in one simple action. 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 push-pieces feel smooth when pressed. A patented zero resetting mechanism ensures that each one of the counter hands instantaneously resets to zero.
The dance of the hammers
The sapphire caseaback of the Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding Chronograph affords sight of the integrated chronograph’s column wheel and the so-called “dance” of the chronograph hammers.* Moreover, the wearer is granted views of the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight and refined finishing, including “Côtes de Genève,” circular graining, circular satin and polished chamfers throughout.
