Audemars Piguet Royal Oak automatic tourbillon 41mm 2020
A classic luxury sports watch with a flying tourbillon and automatic winding mechanism for the first time.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was originally designed as a time and date model when it came out in 1972. Since then, it has provided countless kinds of complications, including the most complicated ones. The tourbillon of AP is of course no stranger to Royal Oak. It was first used in the iconic luxury sports watch in 1997 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the watch. Today, the latest evolution was announced, this time the automatic flying tourbillon movement, which was launched for the first time in code 11.59. There are 3 versions, including the surprising titanium version, which is the 41mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak self-winding flying tourbillon.
Looking at the current Royal Oak series, you will notice that there is already a tourbillon model. However, this iteration of RO is manually wound, has an ultra-thin movement, and its tourbillon cage has a classic structure, with bridges both front and rear. Today, the brand has launched more modern products and introduced a movement that has never been used in the brand’s luxury sports watches. Caliber 2950 is used in code 11.59 for the first time. Although this is not the first automatic tourbillon movement used on the RO, it is the first movement that combines an automatic winding mechanism and a flight structure.
The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Automatic Flying Tourbillon will have 3 different reference models for you to choose from, but before we introduce them in more detail, let us first understand some common points. The case diameter of these new models is 41mm, which is slightly thicker than the case of the ultra-thin models mentioned above-about 11.5mm. Other than that, we found the same design as all other versions of RO, with the iconic octagonal bezel with 8 gold screws, a special-shaped case and an integrated metal bracelet. All watches combine sporty brushed surfaces with beautifully polished accents.
Regarding the dial, both models (steel and gold) have an “Evolutive Tapisserie” pattern on the twisted surface, which was introduced in the manual winding tourbillon model in 2018-the focus radiates from the center of the tourbillon. On the other hand, the titanium model is completely different and brand new.
The detail worth mentioning is the applied 24k gold Audemars Piguet signature, which is the first in RO. This particular application logo was originally created for Code 11.59 and was achieved through a chemical process similar to 3D printing (called current growth). Each letter has a thin link that is almost invisible. Then use the tiny legs to manually fix the signature on the dial.
The internal movement 2950, the movement introduced for the first time in the Code 11.59 series, combines a flying tourbillon (this is the architecture that AP first used in the ROC in 2018), and the automatic winding can be seen through the sapphire crystal back . The movement is completely decorated with haute horology technology (the Geneva stripes are different from the code 11.59, which emits light here). It is a large and modern movement. It beats at a frequency of 3 Hz and has a comfortable power reserve of 65 hours. Depending on the version, the hollow pendulum is made of rose gold or rhodium-toned rose gold.
The first of these three Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Automatic Tourbillon watches are made of stainless steel and equipped with a blue dial (Ref. 26530ST.OO.1220ST.01), which is a classic combination of the watch , Refers to the original watch in 1972. The case and strap are made in a typical RO style, with a brushed surface and a polished bevel.
In addition to the modern and eye-catching “Evolutive Tapisserie” pattern, this stainless steel dial is also executed with a gradual smoke effect, and its periphery is darker than the center of the dial. This not only adds depth to the flying tourbillon, but also provides a sharp contrast between the platinum hands and applied time scales.
The second version of the Royal Oak Automatic Flying Tourbillon 41mm (Ref. 26530TI.OO.1220TI.01) is the most surprising and unique of the three. First, its case is made of grade 5 titanium, a material that is rarely used in reverse osmosis (except for some limited editions, which are usually combined with platinum). The use of titanium produces different colors (softer than steel), and in most cases, the lighter weight of this metal makes it more comfortable on the wrist.
The second influence is the dial, which is a smooth, monochromatic alternative to the Royal Oak trademark “Tapisserie” pattern. This slate gray dial has an unprecedented sandblasted central surface, and the chapter ring is designed with a snail pattern. On the other hand, keep the signature hand and mark.
Last but not least, the Royal Oak Automatic Flying Tourbillon 41mm will be offered in a warm and luxurious 18 rose gold version (26530OR.OO.1220OR.01) with a matching one-piece bracelet. In this version, gold tones are also found on the dial pointer and dial, the tourbillon cage and the balance wheel of the pendulum.
Its dial also uses the modern “Evolutive Tapisserie” pattern emanating from the center of the tourbillon. It has an attractive gray with a gradual smoky effect, and the periphery is darker than the center.
Technical Specifications-AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Self-winding Flying Tourbillon 41 mm
Case: 41 mm in diameter-stainless steel, titanium or 18k rose gold case, polished surface-sapphire crystal glass case and back cover-screw-in crown-water resistance 50m
Dial: stainless steel: smoked blue dial with “Evolutive Tapisserie” pattern, white gold hour markers, Royal Oak hands, luminous coating
Titanium: sandblasted gray gray dial with snails around, white gold hour markers and Royal Oak hands with luminous coating
Rose gold: smoky gray dial with “Evolutive Tapisserie” pattern, rose gold coated hour markers and Royal Oak hands with luminous coating
Movement: homemade 2950 movement-automatic winding-30.9 mm x 6.24 mm-270 parts, 27 jewels-21,600 vibrations per hour-65 hours of power reserve per hour-hours, minutes and flying tourbillon
Bracelet: stainless steel or titanium or 18k rose gold bracelet, polished surface-AP three-blade folding clasp
Reference number: 26530ST.OO.1220ST.01-steel
26530TI.OO.1220TI.01-Titanium
26530OR.OO.1220OR.01-rose gold