Audemars Piguet introduces the new Royal Oak for women

In 1972, Gérald Genta, a watchmaking genius, designed the Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet, which would become one of the world’s most iconic sports watches. Special feature: 44mm octagonal case with visible screws for hole look. The model is causing a sensation in a segment accustomed to more classic watches.

Performance: Since 1875, the Audemars Piguet manufacture has recognized and specialized in complex movements. Therefore, this new trio of Royal Oak Minis does not shy away from its watchmaking craftsmanship. It is equipped with the quartz movement caliber 2730, one of the most efficient for watches of this diameter, guaranteeing more than seven years of autonomy. Since 2001, it has not had a miniature version. And we didn’t expect the very strong 1972 Royal Oak to come in a women’s version. But this watch has more than one spin on its dial, it returns in a modern reinterpretation in white, yellow or rose gold, with an impressive refinement of the jewels, measuring just 23mm in diameter.

Temporary museum

In 1976, Jacqueline Dimier, the artistic director of the house, invented a female version of the original men’s model. Here is the Royal Oak II, 29 mm in diameter (instead of 44) with an automatic movement. Over the years, the icon lost millimeters, reaching 20mm in 2001, and gained precision in 1986 thanks to a quartz movement. In turn, jewelry designer Caroline Bucci dressed it up in Frosted Gold in 2016. The latter, inspired and revised by the ancestral techniques of Florentine goldsmiths, consists of making small strokes on the surface of gold with a diamond point, thus creating a sparkling effect similar to precious stones. And Audemars Piguet appointed Ilaria Resta, a passionate business leader, as CEO last year

For this women’s launch, the Swiss manufacturer presents the Shaping Materials exhibition, which will be held at the Portrait Milano Hotel in Milan until June 16. This building, a former seminary in Baroque style, contrasts this golden cube with a mirror-effect surface. Inside you can discover the transformation of different raw materials. But also how the brand has been inspired by different cultural trends.