L’Of f ic i eL BIjoux
74
Royal oak by audemaRs Piguet
Year of birth: 1970Design brief: Legendary designer Gerald Genta’s partnership
with Audemars Piguet began long before the conception of
the Royal Oak, which he was commissioned to design with an
overnight lead time. The result was a never-before-seen iteration
of a steel sports watch with a new waterproof technology. Genta
referenced the system of a vintage diver’s helmet screwed onto
his suit and replicated the eight screws on the watch bezel with
a revolutionary octagonal shape that still stands as a Audemars
Piguet signature today. The watch was commercially produced
in 1972 after Genta etched out the prototype and a year in
development. Interestingly, the watch was initially derided
for being too large before it became a runaway success. The
innovative visible screw feature pioneered by Genta is a technical
detail that is now much admired and emulated.New in 2019: Debuting the concept of a luxury sports watch
made of steel, Audemars Piguet’s original Royal Oak retailed
as the most expensive steel watch back in the day. This year’s
renditions run the gamut from the Royal Oak Offshore — highly
engineered ceramic chronographs in 44 mm size that are offered
in trailblazing camouflage colours and highly contrasted versions
of gem-set rainbow and grey ceramic — to a repertoire that
features openworking, gem-setting and new colour, finish and
material medleys with resizing to flatter smaller wrists. Purists
and devotees of the Royal Oak icon will be mightily pleased
with this year’s five new models that champion its essence: the
Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin with a new colour combination;
four new chronographs in 38 mm that fit both men and women;
a decadent-looking limited-edition purple dial Frosted Gold
Chronograph; and the super sophisticated Royal Oak Tourbillon
Extra-Thin with black ceramic case and bracelet.Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin
Royal Oak Double Balance
Wheel OpenworkedRoyal Oak Frosted Gold
Selfwinding Chronograph Royal Oak QuartzRoyal Oak Offshore
Selfwinding
Chronograph