Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Full-Gold AP Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
One of the thinnest QPs get the Midas touch with a limited edition for Greater China.
We’ve talked about the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin on multiple occasions already, and for obvious reasons. When first presented as a prototype watch named RD#2, it was the world’s thinnest perpetual calendar wristwatch, with an impressive 6.2mm thickness. Despite Bulgari re-gaining the title a year later, this Audemars Piguet remains truly impressive and is now offered in an appealing titanium edition with a smoky-blue dial. But a new limited edition of this watch (26586BA) has just been presented and it is a polarizing one, in a full gold attire and available exclusively in Greater China.
Technically speaking, this new limited edition of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin retains the same specifications as previous titanium/platinum or full-titanium editions – the weight of the watch will be, of course, completely different. As such, we’re talking about a classic RO design with its signature octagonal bezel and 8 white gold studs, yet with rather surprising proportions – 41mm in diameter (thus quite wide) but only 6.2mm in thickness. Despite its complexity, it is the thinnest Royal Oak you can get, surpassing the 16202ST Jumbo in the exercise of slenderness. The case is now made entirely of 18k yellow gold, with classic brushed surfaces and polished accents. Water-resistance… a rather limited 20 metres.
In addition to a full yellow gold case and matching bracelet (expect a heavy watch on the wrist), this new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin 26586BA plays on a striking monochromatic theme with a dial that’s been entirely gold-coloured, with tone-on-tone subdials and a gold-toned moon over a blue starry sky. Even the hands and applied markers are 18k yellow gold, yet filled with white luminescent material for a bit of contrast day and night.
Under the sapphire back is the in-house calibre 5133, an evolution of the classic 2120/2121 calibre that has equipped the RO jumbo for many years (before being replaced by the 7121). This integrated movement (the QP isn’t a module, helping the thinness) has a clever construction with the dial acting as the upper bridge and combines all the perpetual calendar functions in a single plane instead of three. It measures 2.89mm, operates at 19,800 vibrations per hour and boasts a 40-hour power reserve. The back reveals a nicely decorated movement, with polished chamfers and stripes.
A limited edition of 88 pieces, this new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin 41mm Yellow Gold 26586BA will be available exclusively in Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). The price is upon request but should be in excess of CHF 150,000. For more information, please visit www.audemarspiguet.com.
