Skip to main content

Magazine

SIHH 2012: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin

This year sees the 40th anniversary of the famous Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and the landmark is being celebrated at the Geneva Watch Salon with the unveiling of the new Openworked Extra-Thin.

SIHH 2012: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin

 

The new Royal Oak Extra-thin looks remarkably like the original from 1972, which was designed by Gérald Genta. For a start, the remake matches the size of the revered classic, at 39 millimetres, a diameter that seemed huge in 1972 but today is by no means a particularly large watch. Indeed, it was the first Royal Oak that helped develop the fashion for larger timepieces. In addition, the latest version has an extra-flat case, an unmistakable nod to the past. There is also the special blue colour of the dial – and in the latest model, the date disc, too – while the AP initials in white gold are again at their original 1972 position of 6 o’clock.

At the technical heart of the new ultra-thin Royal Oak beats the same movement as the original, the renowned, mechanical self-winding Calibre 2121, with a thickness of just 3.05mm. The rebirth of this classic is undoubtedly one of the most noteworthy models at the Geneva Salon this year.

 


Photo: Audemars Piguet

For further details, www.audemarspiguet.com.

Classic Audemars Piguet watches for sale can be found in the Classic Driver Market.