There’s a reason the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is called the Royal Oak. We can dispense with the history, though. One look at this stunning Royal Oak Openworked (a fancy term for skeleton) watch makes it all breathtakingly clear – it’s simply Royal in its look. At once both classically elegant and yet boldly contemporary, this self-winding Royal Oak Openworked watch is a deft blending of tradition and futuristic prowess.
To skeletonize a movement is no easy feat. In fact, it is one of the most difficult, tedious, time-consuming efforts in the haute horology field. The artisans who work tirelessly to hone away nearly 70 percent of the metal of a movement by hand must do so in such as way as to preserve the metal structure and strength that maintains the movement’s precision and reliability. Then, once the metal is removed, there is the artistry of engraving and decorating the remaining parts for a truly exceptional heirloom-quality masterpiece.
All of that tradition would be one thing, however in this newest Calibre 3129, Audemars Piguet moved a few steps closer to a futuristic millennium by offering more restrained cuts, satin brushing, contrasting shades achieved entirely by hand beveling. The colors range from gray to anthracite thanks to galvanic surface treatments, offer a painter’s palette of slate hues that are immediately mysterious and attractive, especially when paired with the gilt brass gear trains.
The Calibre 3129, based on the caliber 3120, is comprised of 253 parts and offers hours, minutes and central seconds with cross-through balance bridge. It is fitted with a variable inertia balance with eight inertia blocks and offers a stop-seconds function. The watch has 60 hours of power reserve. With alligator strap, this striking bold 18-karat rose gold Openworked self-winding Royal Oak retails for a wonderfully priced approximately $46,500.