Le Brassus-based watchmaker, Audemars Piguet, is best known for their Royal Oak line. And that’s maybe more apparent now than ever, after the launch of their new round-shaped watch collection, called the Code 11.59, over the weekend. Unlike the Royal Oak, which is highly regarded, the new line has received an almost unprecedented amount of criticism on Instagram, and is polarizing, to say the least.
With that said, as you probably already know, Audemars Piguet was a pioneer of the luxury stainless steel sports watch in 1972 when they debuted the Royal Oak, which was designed by the late Gerald Genta, and that went on to become an icon of watchmaking aesthetics. Not surprisingly, Audemars Piguet has always protected the production of this model, particularly the “Jumbo” Extra-Thin version which measures 39 mm x 8 mm.
Over the years, a number of limited iterations have been released, such as the gorgeous midnight blue gradient dial Royal Oak Jumbo in platinum and titanium, from 2018. And while the original steel with the blue dial is the benchmark, it is nice to see a little variety each year, albeit in an even more limited production than the standard model.
This year, at SIHH 2019, Audemars Piguet debuted a Jumbo with the pink gold-toned “Petite Tapisserie” dial, similar the dial of the Royal Oak’s 20th-anniversary model in 1992 and paired with a satin-brushed 18K white gold case and bracelet. According to AP, ” White gold was only used once in the 1980s for a Royal Oak with a blue dial and diamond-set hour-markers.”
Like previous versions, the same automatic caliber 2121 movement is used to drive the hours, minutes, and date; there’s no seconds hand on Jumbo Royal Oaks. It measures 28.4 mm x 3.05 mm, has 36 jewels, 247 total components, 40 hours of power reserve, and a rare beat rate of 2.75Hz (19,800 vph). Water-resistance is 50 meters.
What really makes the Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin Ref. 15202BC, and its matte white gold case, with the pink gold-toned dial, pop, are its polished, applied white gold hour markers, “AP” logo, and Royal Oak hands.
Retail is $55,400.
Learn more at Audemars Piguet.
