Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT

Photo: Monochrome

When Audemars Piguet released a special edition of 150 items to commemorate the 30th year of their Royal Oak watch in 2002, it marked the beginning of the Royal Oak Concept. It took design cues from concept automobiles in the motor industry. Besides, this Concept initiative gave Audemars Piguet a place to test new ideas and technologies thanks to its groundbreaking and disruptive appearance.

The initial Concept from 2002 blended titanium and Alacrit 602, a strong but ultralight alloy utilized in the aerospace sector. Although it still had the Royal Oak’s distinctive octagonal design, the 44-millimeter casing diameter rendered it somewhat bigger than the original from 1972. Moreover, the Concept has certain cutting-edge technical characteristics, fusing innovative design with advanced mechanisms.

With its forward-thinking Concept this year, AP is establishing new benchmarks. Haute Horlogerie manufacturer is introducing a split-seconds chronograph featuring flyback functionality and mechanical winding for the first time. Several additional new functions will also be available to us simultaneously.

• The Case

The Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date is the inaugural watch to use a casing with a 43-millimeter size. The casing is 3D, with intricate patterns, depth, and illumination interplay, the outcome of challenging production and programming procedures.

Photo: Audemars Piguet

To make up for the 43-millimeter case diameter, the casing and bezel have a small curve meant to increase wearer comfort. Moreover, the case has inlays made of titanium that has been sandblasted. 

Photo: Monochrome

On the other hand, the octagon bezel is satin-polished and has refined chamfers to emphasize its circular form to increase reflection. Black ceramic is used for the crown and pushers, which are screw-down. Also, the casing’s sandblasted, satin-finished, and polished chamfers match the finishing on the pushers.

• Dial

The dial’s open design offers a stunning glimpse of the intricate micromechanics of the movement. A solitary German silver plate was used to create the circular holes, which were then sandblasted, PVD-treated in black, and given refined rhodium-colored bevels.

Photo: Monochrome

The AP inscription was purposefully removed to expose the majority of the inside of the watch. The large date, GMT day/night display, hour markings, hands, and registers all have bright coatings. A white tachymeter gauge can also be seen on the interior black bezel.

• The Movement

The brand-new manual Calibre 4407 features a large date, GMT feature, and flyback chronograph. Caliber 4401, released in 2019 in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet line, evolved into this caliber, which marks the first of its sort to be mass-created by the manufacturer. 

Photo: Monochrome

A new oscillation featuring a Breguet Sprial spring has been upgraded, enhancing precision to 70 hours and ensuring concentric growth of the balancing spring. A vertical clutching mechanism is used to turn the column wheel, which prohibits the chronograph from beginning or stopping abruptly. Also, the seconds may be instantly adjusted to zero thanks to a proprietary zero-reset system.

Photo: Monochrome

The split seconds system, viewable via the sapphire crystal caseback, has been inserted into the roller bearing of the semi-peripheral wheel in platinum, based on its height, to keep the movement smoother (8.92 millimeters). At three o’clock, a coaxial button on the crown can be used to alter the GMT day/night signal; one press equals one hour. 

The white portion of the screen represents daytime, while the black section represents night-time. The date is displayed on a sizable digital window at 12 o’clock. Likewise, the movement has been embellished with Haute Horlogerie accents like refined chamfers, sandblasted faces, and round satin treatments.