With its latest launch, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin (RD#3), Audemars Piguet has combined three of its trend-setting highlights – a flying tourbillon, a smaller case size (37mm) and the colour of the moment: royal purple.
The first two of these have been made possible thanks to the ultra-slim, self-winding flying tourbillon movement, Calibre 2968, which is just 3.4mm thick. The first time AP has released a flying tourbillon in such a diminutive case, the immaculate finishing of the hand-decorated movement has not been diminished in any way.
The Calibre 2968 was a full five years in R&D and made its debut in a 39mm case before being introduced in a 37mm version. Previously the complex flying tourbillon had only been available in a 41mm model. In order to shave off the millimetres, both the titanium cage – now with peripheral drive – and escapement components had to be completely reworked to fit into their new home.
The movement bridges are now openworked to enable a fuller view of the movement through the exhibition caseback, while dial-side, the tourbillon is placed at dial height to create a more captivating visual experience.
Certain design cues such as the Petite Tapisserie dial (delivered in purple for the first time) and ‘bathtub’ hour-markers and hands are taken from 1972’s 39mm ‘Jumbo’. The Audemars Piguet logo and minute track are printed in white, while the flying tourbillon sits at 6 o’clock. The stainless-steel case and bracelet, however, are finished using the increased polished bevelling that was first seen in the Royal Oak this year.
As with all models launched in 2022, the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary year, the rhodium-coated, pink-gold rotor carries the legend ‘50-years’. £POA
