Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 50th Anniversary made of black ceramic

April 15, 1972. The day Georges Gaulet, then the head of Audemars Piguet, presented the world with a watch that had such an impact on the watchmaking universe that 50 years later it remains one of the most coveted watches that have ever graced the world. We are talking, of course, about the Royal Oak, designed by the inimitable Gerald Genta, which at the time of launch had the price of a Jaguar XJ6. 3750 Swiss francs, to be precise, and is completely unheard of for a stainless steel watch designed only to measure time. It is this courage that has allowed the watch to become an undeniable icon and an object of desire for future generations.

50 years is a significant milestone. In honor of the anniversary, the Swiss manufactory has released several iconic models. Audemars Piguet has added an all-black Royal Oak self-winding “50th Anniversary” chronograph to its ever-expanding Royal Oak collection.

This model is made entirely of black ceramic, including a bracelet that embodies the latest design evolution of the line, presented on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Royal Oak. The 41 x 12.4 mm case with a satin and polished surface is equipped with a screw-down crown that provides water resistance up to 50 meters.

Protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the black dial with a Grande Tapisserie pattern and black counters contrasts with the rose gold hour markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. The dials with the Grand Tapisserie pattern are the hallmark of Audemars Piguet. It is performed using a machine that guilloches the Royal Oak dial, resulting in a signature weaving pattern forming a square and diamond-shaped motif, which the brand has been famous for since 1972.

The brass dial is engraved with a chisel (precision metal chisel), which reproduces the motif on a disk attached to the machine, like a pantograph. The arrow rotates across the disk from the periphery to the center. The system is combined with a tool that forms small diamonds between squares. The process takes from 20 to 50 minutes, depending on the diameter of the dial. This is a delicate operation. The slightest movement can damage the surface, it is as noticeable as dust on a mirror. After creating a new watch face, it is sent for finishing.

The sapphire glass back cover shows the 4401 caliber with automatic winding and a rotor with an inscription in honor of the 50th anniversary. This reverse chronograph movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 half-vibrations per hour) and provides a 70-hour power reserve. The price of the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph “50th Anniversary” ref. 26240CE.OO.1225CE.01 is 74,900 euros.

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