Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Extra-Thin in 18k yellow gold

LeBron James is wearing a new 39mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Extra-Thin in 18k yellow gold, released earlier this year and made for the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak.

The timepiece features a smoked yellow-gold-toned ‘Petite Tapisserie’ dial that works with the new self-winding movement. This piece is fitted with the ‘50-years’ oscillating weight which will be exclusively on every 2022 Royal Oak.

About the Watch

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin receives a contemporary engine, created and made in-house, after 50 years with the same movement, the Calibre 2121. It’s a slim automated movement that’s somewhat larger and heavier than previously, yet it has no effect on the case’s measurements. Significantly, given the fast-beating shaft, it now has a modern build with durability in mind, as well as a 55-hour power reserve (4Hz frequency). It also includes a date that may be set quickly. The 22k gold rotor is placed on ball bearings and features the “50 years” logo, which is unique to this year’s manufacturing.

The dial is what matters most with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin. The blazing, sunset-like gradient dial, which runs from yellow gold in the center to black on the outskirts. It’s paired with solid gold hands as well as attached indicators and the classic petite tapisserie engine-turned design. The date window is also the same color as the dial.

The dial is nothing more than a flange with gold-applied indexes. These, like the hands, have illuminating material to enhance reading. The watchmakers skip the date function in this version. However, the front is dominated by the open movement.

This timepiece has an amazing personality because of its incredibly powerful, divisive, yet oddly appealing smoked color. The gradient impact dramatically alters the impression of the piece and its shapes. This is by playing with the dimensions of the dial and drawing attention to the center of the dial.  The attached AP monogram in refined gold at 6 o’clock, which may also be visible here, is typical of the “Jumbo.” At 3 o’clock, a color scheme disc displays the date.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin comes with a yellow gold casing and bracelet, as well as the “Petite Tapisserie” design. It also features yellow gold attached hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminous coating.

In addition, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin features a similar monocoque or “two-part” casing design. It has eight hexagonal screws pushed through the bezel, seal, and casing, and measures 39mm in diameter as well as 8.1mm in thickness.

The most significant advancement is found in the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin. The updated caliber was introduced with the new generation of watches. This movement took five years to build since it had to fit into the casing without changing its proportions. A larger mainspring barrel, which now has a power autonomy of 55 hours, is one of the enhancements. It also ensures greater rate consistency over time. The incorporation of a unique date system with a quick-set option is also a functional advance.

Market price: $600,000.00 USD
Watch reference: 16202BA

Photo: Getty Images