Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date

When it comes to the Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet we tend to envision their classic time and date version, but a “Concept” series was introduced in 2002 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak. The brand describes this series as “combining futuristic looks, ergonomics, high technology and performance, the Royal Oak Concept collection explores new technical horizons”. This is also the first self-winding split-seconds flyback chronograph function to incorporate the Royal Oak lineup.The 43mm multifaceted titanium case has a bulky appearance with a curved design that offers a comfortable wrist fit. The robust contours of the case are further highlighted by the variations in satin-brushed, sandblasted, and polished finishes. Mounted to the case is an octagonal titanium bezel with exposed white gold screws. The combination of these layers sum up a thickness of 17.4mm overall.On the flipside is a sapphire exhibition caseback that allows a view into the inner workings of the mechanical movement. It features a platinum oscillating weight decorated with an AP inscription.It comes equipped with a screw-locked crown and chronograph push-pieces made of black ceramic. The pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock are used for the start, stop and reset chronograph operations. The flyback function allows the wearer to reset and restart the chronograph without having to stop it first.The split-seconds mechanism allows to measure intermediate time intervals thanks to the inclusion of a split-seconds hand, which can be stopped independently of the chronograph hand when the dedicated pusher is activated at 9 o’clock. All topped by a glare-proof sapphire crystal. Water-resistance can reach up to 50 meters (164 feet).Time is exhibited on a black PVD openworked dial with small square shaped white gold applied hour index markers, while circling around a sloped flange is a black inner bezel with a white printed tachymeter scale. This main structure appears with rounded opening cut outs from a single German silver dial.There are three counters: a GMT day-night display at 3 o’clock with yellow indicators (which can be adjusted using the crown’s coaxial push-piece also at 3 o’clock; it takes one press to move the time by one hour), a sub-seconds in white at 6 o’clock, and a 30-minute counter with red highlights at 9 o’clock.The GMT system that AP deployed here is based on two concentric discs turning at different speeds. On one side the hour disc makes a revolution in 12 hours, while the day/night disc completes a rotation in 24 hours and gets represented by its two colored areas composed of a white half for daytime and a black half representing night time. The central sword-shaped AP hands and hour index markers have all been fitted with a luminescent filling for an enhanced legibility. 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date

The “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date” (Ref#: 26650TI.OO.D013CA.01) is powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 4407 with 73 jewels, 638 parts, and 28,800 vph. It comes equipped with an integrated split-seconds flyback. Power reserve can last up to 70 hours, when fully wound.Mounted on the watch is a black and gray interchangeable rubber strap, secured to the wrist by a titanium AP folding clasp. It also comes with an additional black interchangeable strap. For more up to date information visit the official Audemars Piguet website here.

Audemars Piguet, AP, Royal Oak, Concept, Split-Seconds, Chronograph, GMT, Large Date, Luxury Watches