While we should be used to Audemars Piguet releasing yet another Royal Oak but this time around they’ve put out a few things that are sure to be a grail for many people (at least people who already own a few grails). The 37mm yellow-gold and Tiffany-adjacent blue dial Selfwinding Royal Oak could perhaps generate as much hype as the Tiffany dial Nautilus, though that definitely could just be us getting overexcited. We won’t get into detail about every watch released today but we will leave specifications and images for all the releases.
Royal Oak Selfwinding 37mm
It’s not a straight-up copy of the Tiffany dial thanks to the natural stone look to it. There is no shortage of Tiffany-like dials out there, but the use of natural turquoise rather than a lacquer it really sets it apart by providing texture and depth to the dial. The yellow gold is paired quite well with the dial and that 37mm diameter is great for providing a vintage vibe to the watch. There’s nothing on the website to suggest that this is a limited release but given the price tag, 55,000 CHF (~$85,130 AUD), you won’t be seeing these on everyone’s wrist regardless.
At a Glance
Reference: 15550BA.OO. 1356BA.01
Diameter: 37mm
Thickness: 8.9mm
Case: 18k yellow gold
Water Resistance: 50m
Dial: Natural turqouise
Strap: Yellow gold bracelet with AP folding clasp
Movement: Automatic calibre 5900
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Price: 55,000 CHF (~$85,130 AUD)
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding
Since 2019, the Code 11.59 have cases made in exclusively precious metals, but they’ve broken that rule with this newest release in stainless steel. Though it’s not the first time as in 2021, they experimented a little by blending ceramic with the precious metals. The difference is that these will be great for those looking for a more accessible price point.
There are three time and date variants here: Bleu Nuit/Nuage 50 (blue), green, and a smokey beige. The blue and green are encased entirely in stainless steel while the beige features a little ceramic on the mid-case and crown. All of them feature the new stamped dial texture developed with Swiss guilloche craftsman, Yann von Kaenal.
AP explains, “In order to stamp the dials, Yann von Kaenel undertook the extremely complex and meticulous task of creating the basic stamps, which have been engraved by hand. The pattern of waves that move outwards from the centre of the dial is decorated with hundreds of tiny holes that play with the light. The result is a myriad of details that make this decoration so rich, while at the same time paying tribute to the craftsmanship of this extremely talented artisan.”
Finally, through the sapphire caseback you can look upon the AP calibre 4302 in all its glory offering a 70-hour power reserve.
The beige variant will set you back 24,800 CHF (~$38,390 AUD) while the green and blue are 22,700 CHF (~$35,140 AUD).
At a Glance
Reference: 15210ST.OO.A343KB.01 (blue) / 15210ST.OO.A056KB.01 (green) / 15210QT.OO.A064KB.01 (beige)
Diameter: 41mm
Thickness: 10.7mm
Water Resistance: 30m
Strap: Dial-matching leather and rubber strap with stainless steel AP pin buckle
Movement: Automatic calibre 4302
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Price: 24,800 CHF (~$38,390 AUD) [Beige] / 22,700 CHF (~$35,140 AUD) [Green/Blue]
Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin
Not much needs to be said about the 16202 since it made its debut in 2022 for the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary. Two major things were introduced during that release: the return of the Bleu Nuit/Nuage 50 dial, and the departure of the JLC-based calibre 2121. AP have created their own in-house designed and manufactured calibre 7121 as a more than fitting replacement.
This release isn’t stainless steel but 18k white gold and pays homage to the 1992 release, reference 14802, created for the Royal Oak 20th anniversary. No Bleu Nuit/Nuage 50 dial this time, instead we get a first for the modern collection, a grained blue dial.
This release has been confirmed to be a limited-edition release so people will be clamouring for these, but with a 70,100 CHF (~$108,500 AUD).
At a Glance
Reference: 16202BC.OO.1240BC.02
Diameter: 39mm
Thickness: 8.1mm
Case Material: 18k white gold
Water Resistance: 50m
Strap: White gold bracelet
Movement: Automatic calibre 7121
Power Reserve: 55 hours
Price: 70,100 CHF (~$108,500 AUD)
Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph
At a Glance
Reference: 26238CE.OO.1300CE.01
Dial: Black dial with Petit Tapisserie pattern
Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 15.3mm
Case: Black ceramic/titanium caseback
Water Resistance: 100m screw-down crown
Strap: Black ceramic bracelet with titanium AP folding clasp
Movement: Automatic calibre 4404
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Price: 75,400 CHF (~$116,710 AUD)
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph’s
At a Glance
Reference: 26393ST.OO.A343KB.01 (blue) / 26393ST.OO.A056KB.01 (green) / 26393QT.OO.A064KB.01 (beige)
Case: Stainless steel / stainless steel with black ceramic midcase (beige)
Diameter: 41mm
Thickness: 12.6mm
Water Resistance: 30m
Strap: Dial-matching leather and rubber strap with stainless steel AP pin buckle
Movement: Automatic calibre 4401
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Price: 31,300 CHF (~$48,450 AUD) [blue and green], 33,400 CHF (~$51,700 AUD) [beige]
Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph
At a Glance:
Reference: 26420CE.OO.A127CR.01
Dial: Black dial with Méga Tapisserie pattern
Diameter: 43mm
Materials: Black ceramic case, bezel, push-pieces, and crown. Yellow gold push-piece guards and strap integrating links. Studs in yellow gold and stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100m (screw-down crown)
Strap: Black interchangeable alligator strap with gold stitching, yellow gold pin buckle. Black interchangeable rubber strap.
Movement: Automatic calibre 4401
Power Resereve: 70 hours
Price: 53,900 CHF (~$83,430 AUD)
Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph
At a Glance
Reference: 26240BC.SS.1320BC.01
Diameter: 41mm
Thickness: 12.4mm
Case: 18k white gold
Bezel: 32 baguette-cut blue sapphires
Water Resistance: 50m (screw down crown)
Dial: Blue dial with Grand Tapisserie pattern
Strap: White gold bracelet with AP folding clasp
Movement: Automatic calibre 4401
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Availability: Exclusive to Japan May 2023, worldwide July 2023
Price: On Request
Royal Oak Selfwinding Smoked Blue Dial Variants
At a Glance
Reference: 77451BC.ZZ.1261BC.01 (34mm) / 15551BC.ZZ.1356BC.01 (37mm) / 26715BC.ZZ.1356BC.01 (Chronograph)
Diameter: 34mm, 37mm, 38mm (chronograph)
Thickness: 8.8mm, 9.4mm, 11mm
Case: 18k white gold
Bezel: 32 baguette-cut diamonds
Water Resistance: 50m
Dial: Smoked blue with Grande Tapiserrie pattern
Strap: White gold bracelet with AP folding clasp
Movement: Automatic calibre 5800, Automatic calibre 5900, Automatic calibre 2385
Power Reserve: 50 hours, 60 hours, 40 hours
Price: On request
