The timepiece’s 41mm case and bracelet are suffused with a striking hue.
A blue period is about to begin for the world’s most iconic sports watch.
A new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, completely crafted in bright blue ceramic, has been revealed by the Swiss watchmaker for the first time since it first debuted in 1972.
With a 41 mm case and matching bracelet, the new model features a Smurf-like hue. The color also saturates the signature Royal Oak grande tapisserie dial, which displays day, date, month, moon phase, and leap-year indicators. An 18-carat white gold band accents the piece with a luminescent coating to create a hint of contrast. The inner bezel also highlights the shade.
A mixture of zirconium oxide powder and binder content is mixed with a blue pigmentation when baked, then transformed into ceramic using a machining process to produce the electric-blue hue, according to the watchmaker. It is at 1,400 degrees Celsius that the components attain their final color.
Ceramic components were also hand-finished by Le Brassus artisans in the same way they would precious metal components. With the blue Royal Oak timepiece, AP has applied its signature satin-brushing and polished chamfers, painstakingly by hand, to enhance the ceramics and overall design of the watch.
All current Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars have the same extra-thin, self-winding Calibre 5134 inside the new piece. Even in leap years, the movement automatically considers the number of days in the month while correctly displaying the current date. In order to stay aligned with the Gregorian calendar until the bonkers year of 2100, as long as the piece is regularly wound, it won’t require manual adjustment. It has an openworked oscillating weight made of 22-carat gold. Circular graining and sunray brushing decorate the dial of the movement.
Audemars Piguet offers a striking new monochromatic watch on their website. Pricing can be obtained upon request.
