Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Frosted Gold

If you still haven’t had enough updates to the “Royal Oak” collection, you’re in luck. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic design by Gerald Genta there have been several updates to its various iterations. The most recent is a pair of “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Frosted Gold” with partial panda dials, which are initially destined for Japan, but will become available worldwide later this year.The case appears here in a 41mm diameter and 12.4mm thickness made out of either yellow or white frosted gold. This frosted finish is also known as a “Florentine finish”, which consists of hammering gold repeatedly until it morphs into an evenly textured surface, with a sparkly appearance. It was introduced to AP by the Italian jewelry designer, Carolina Bucci, who utilizes a diamond-tipped tool to create a layer of tiny indentations that give the metal surface a frosted look, hence the names origin.On the flip-side is a sapphire exhibition case back, which allows a view into the inner workings of the mechanical movement. Unlike many of the other anniversary releases the gold oscillating weight has a carved out “AP” logo, instead of the “50” years emblem.Mounted to the case is the iconic octagonal bezel, held in place by 8 exposed screws. It comes equipped with two solid push-pieces that activate the chronograph functions, while between them lay protecting crown guards and the screw-in setting crown. All topped by a glare-proofed sapphire crystal that hangs over a peaceful clear sky-like hue. Water-resistance on this watch can reach up to 50 meters (164 feet).Time is exhibited on a silver grey or yellow-toned dial (that matches each model's case material) with the “Grande Tapisserie” pattern and 18k gold applied hour index markers. While circling around the periphery is a ring of white or black printed second markings and longer minute markers.It features three snailed sub-dials: a 12-hour counter counter at 3 o’clock, a sub-seconds at 6 o’clock, and a 30-minute counter at the 9 o’clock position. Plus a date window has been placed between the 4 and 5 o’clock spots. 

On the upper-half of the dial is the long-form "Audemars Piguet" logo in gold, matching each version's case alloy. The 18k white or yellow gold hands and hour index markers have all undergone a luminescent coating, for an enhanced legibility. 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Frosted Gold

The “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Frosted Gold” (References Below) is powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 4401 with 40 jewels, 367 parts and 28,800 vph. Power reserve on this watch can last up to 70 hours, when fully wound.Mounted to these watches is either an integrated 18k white or yellow frosted gold bracelet, secured to the wrist by an AP folding clasp. Both editions will be sold exclusively in Japan from May to July, but from August 2022 onward it will be available worldwide. For more up to date information visit the official Audemars Piguet website here.

MSRP: $77,600.00 USD

 

 

Audemars Piguet, AP, Royal Oak, Chronograph, Frosted Gold, Luxury Watches