Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Matthew Williams Editions

As summer came to an end Audemars Piguet unveiled a collaboration with Matthew Williams, the American designer behind 1017 ALYX 9SM. This partnership underscores the growing relationship between the Swiss brand and the fashion industry. In celebration, four fresh additions joined the brand's flagship collection—new Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore references. These timepieces feature sleek, minimalist dials that eschew hour-markers, accentuating a vertical satin finish. A design choice that allows space for the prominent placement of both logos: "Audemars Piguet" and "1017 ALYX 9SM".First off we have the time-only “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding”, in the iconic tonneau shaped case with a diameter of 37mm and height of 9.1mm, made out of 18k yellow gold. Mounted to the case is an alloy matching octagonal bezel with eight exposed white gold hexagonal screws in all the corners.On the flipside of this model and all the different versions in this collection, including the larger “Royal Oak Offshore”, they feature a sapphire exhibition caseback that allows a view into the inner workings of the mechanical movement. All the distinct options also have in common a rotor engraved with the "1017 ALYX 9SM" inscription. This classic design by the great late Gérald Genta, never ceases to amaze. Here in this bare bones version, it gains an extra layer of presence, as an almost solid block of luxurious gold. The time-only dial, as well as all the other models have excluded all numerals and indices, It comes with its standard setting-crown. In the absence of any numerals, all the space is left to subtly and solely state "Audemars Piguet" and "1017 ALYX 9SM" on the upper-lower halves of this remarkable dial. Water-resistance can reach up to 50 meters (164 feet).  

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding

The “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding” ​​(Ref. 15550BA.OO.1356BA.02) is powered by self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 5909 with 29 jewels and 28,800 vph. The first time an automatic hours, minutes and seconds movement was integrated inside a 37mm by AP was for the “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Music Edition”, in 2022. The caliber 5909 is based on caliber 5900, which had replaced caliber 3120, (when it first appeared in 2012) due to its advantage of being thinner (3.9mm versus 4.2 mm) and offering a higher frequency than its predecessor (4Hz versus 3Hz). Power reserve can last up to 60 hours, when fully wound. This is a limited edition of only 194 manufactured pieces. For more up to date information visit the official AP website here.

Next up is the “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph” in a larger 41mm case with a height of 12.4mm, also made of shiny 18k yellow gold. Essentially the same aesthetic rules are followed within different proportions to accommodate larger wrists. 

It comes equipped with two solid push-pieces that activate the chronograph functions, while between them lay protecting crown guards and the screw-down setting crown adorned with the AP logo. Despite the larger and more robust demeanor compared to the time-only model, it maintains the same water-resistance of only 50 meters (164 feet).This dial continues a vertical satin finish throughout the whole collection. The three counter layout has a standard layout aligned at 3, 6, and 9 clock, with what we assume are 12-hour counter at 3 o'clock, 30-minute counter at 6 o'clock, and running seconds at 9 o'clock. Nonetheless this choice for simplicity leaves time to be told alone by the hands of each complication.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph

The “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph” (Ref#: 26240BA.OO.1320BA.01)is powered by self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 4409 with 40 jewels, 349 parts, and 28,800 vph. Power reserve can last up to 70 hours, when fully wound. This is a limited edition of only 202 manufactured pieces. For more up to date information visit the official AP website here.

Finally we arrive at the two “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph” models available in a 42mm case with a height of 15.3mm made out of either 18k yellow or white gold.It also comes equipped with two push-pieces that activate the chronograph functions, while between them lay protecting crown guards and the screw-down setting crown adorned with the AP logo. But, these pushers have a more single piece design, while the enhanced construction of the Offshore models offers a higher water-resistance of up to 100 meters (330 feet, compared to rest of the collection).

As each model grows in size, it gains more indications and complications. The three counter layout here shifts to follow the "Offshore"  standard of sub-seconds at 6 o'clock, 30-minute counter at 9 o'clock, and 12-hour counter at 12 o'clock. Plus a date-window at the 3 o'clcok spot, which is the main difference compared with the other options in these limited Matthew Williams Editions

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph

The “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph” (Ref#: 26238BA.OO.2000BA.01 iN Yellow Gold or Ref#: 26238BC.OO.2000BC.01 iN White Gold) are powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 4404 with 40 jewels, 433 components, and 28,800 vph. It comes equipped with a column-wheel operated chronograph with flyback and date. Power reserve can last up to 70 hours, when fully wound.These are both limited editions of only 76 manufactured pieces each and are priced the same. For more up to date information visit the official AP website (links in references).

Audemars Piguet, AP, Royal Oak, Offshore, Chronograph, Matthew Williams, 1017 ALYX 9SM, Luxury Watches