LIFESTYLE | Audemars Piguet’s Frosted Gold Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon Revealed

Audemars Piguet’s newest Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillion has been revealed and features a clean circular design that draws the eye inward to the diamond – encrousted flying tourbillion cage.

The latest in the ‘Royal Oak Concept’ range, this is a smaller design compared to the majority of the oversized Royal Oak Concept men’s watches and is the first time it has been offered with a frosted case.

While the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept has been around since 2002, it wasn’t until 2018 that a flying tourbillion was introduced to the range. Suspended from underneath, the flying tourbillion doesn’t require an overhead bridge and facilitates a slimmer design.

Available in either 18ct pink gold or white gold, the latest edition revisits the frosted look first introduced in 2016 through the collaboration with Italian jewelry designer Carolina Bucci.

Using a decorative Florentine technique of ‘frosting’, a diamond – tipped tool is used to hammer thousands of tiny indentations into the metal that creates a sparkling effects as though it were precious stones or ‘diamond dust’.

To maintain a clean and unfettered view of the mesmerizing dial, no hour markers have been included. Still, the two small semi-skeletonized luminescent hands allow the wearer to quickly tell the time at a glance.

Taking a look closed inside the 38.5 mm frosted and satin-brushed case, the watch face consists of a sunburst blue multi-layered dial with four concentric ovals stepping down towards the diamond encrusted flying tourbillion cage positioned at 6 o’clock.

Compared to previous frosted Royal Oak editions powered by the automatic caliber 3120 and caliber 2713 quartz movements, the new Frosted Royal Oak Concept has a 72-hour power reserve and is powered by Audemars Piguet’s caliber 2964 with a hand-wound flying tourbillon, a design only a few expert watchmakers have the necessary skill to create.

Both editions are available on either a blue ‘large square-scale’ alligator strap or a blue textured rubber strap with a constellation motif.

Audemars Piguet Oak Concept Frosted Gold Flying Tourbillon 38.5 mm

Ref: 26630OR.GG.D326CR.01(pink gold)

Ref: 26630BC.GG.D326CR.01 (white gold)

Diameter: 38.5 mm

Material: 18 pink or white gold with hammered finish

Crystal: Sapphire

Water-resistance: 20m

Movement: Cal.2964

Functions: Hours, minutes, and tourbillon regulator

Winding: Hand-wind

Frequency: 21,600 beats per hours (3Hz)

Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Blue alligator with pink gold folding clasp

Availability: Only at boutiques

Price: USD$ 159,000