Deep and luxurious black design
Audemars Piguet launches two Royal Oak series super time repeater watches made of black ceramic for the first time. The case backs of these two new models are also entirely made of black ceramic, which is the first time it has appeared in an Audemars Piguet timepiece. There are multiple holes on the side of the case back to enhance the volume of the minute repeater and make it easier for the wearer to listen. The ceramic components are produced using complex techniques and are treated with exquisite finishing to bring out the subtle texture of the material while highlighting the architectural beauty of the Royal Oak case.
The ceramic material is made of zirconium oxide powder (ZrO2) and a special binder. It exhibits a uniform pure color after being sintered at high temperature. Subsequently, each component needs to be pre-processed by polishing and satin-finishing, and then uses fine handcraftsmanship to create Audemars Piguet’s signature alternating satin-brushed and polished chamfering effects. The sound wave pattern is engraved on the case back, subtly echoing the super timekeeping mechanism and giving the timepiece extraordinary acoustic performance.
The acoustic performance of ceramic materials is even better
The two new Royal Oak series super time repeater watches combine complex technical connotation and exquisite aesthetic detail design. These watches are equipped with a new generation of patented manual winding movement Caliber 2953, which cleverly combines cutting-edge technology with traditional exquisite finishing skills. The development of this movement makes these two new models more technically advanced.
Thanks to the super timekeeping technology developed by Audemars Piguet in 2015, these two new watches have successfully broken through the limitations of sound transmission of ceramic materials and demonstrated excellent acoustic performance. The introduction of this technology makes the sound effect of the watch even better, providing the wearer with a unique and exquisite auditory experience.
A contemporary reinterpretation of profound accumulation
Since its establishment in 1875, Audemars Piguet has dedicated itself to the research and development of timekeeping mechanisms, consistently pushing the boundaries to create intricate grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie, and minute repeater timepieces. Historical records reveal that between 1882 and 1892, over half of the 1,625 timepieces crafted by Audemars Piguet featured timekeeping functions. This remarkable achievement is attributed to the exceptional skills of the brand’s watchmaking masters across numerous workshops in the Vallée de Joux.
While Audemars Piguet’s commitment to the research and development of timekeeping functions has never wavered, the creation of timekeeping watches in the 20th century was relatively uncommon. From 1892 to 1957, Audemars Piguet produced a total of 35 minute repeater watches. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the time-telling function became an exclusive feature of pocket watches. Following the quartz crisis, traditional complex watch functions experienced a renaissance, and timepiece watches once again took center stage at Audemars Piguet in the 1990s. In 1997, the minute repeater mechanism was introduced into the Royal Oak series for the first time, finding its place in the inaugural Royal Oak grand complication watch. This masterpiece seamlessly integrated the minute repeater, perpetual calendar, and split-seconds chronograph functions.
The introduction of super timekeeping technology occurred in the Royal Oak Concept series in 2015 and was later incorporated into the Royal Oak series in 2019, featured in a super timekeeping minute repeater watch entirely crafted from titanium. Following this, Audemars Piguet introduced a series of watches made from titanium, platinum, or a combination of the two materials. Today, Audemars Piguet once again pushes the boundaries of watchmaking by unveiling two new black ceramic Royal Oak series super time repeater watches, showcasing the ingenious fusion of profound craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and extraordinary aesthetic design.