Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Green Malachite Dials for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 37 and 41mm
A dramatic combination of luxurious yellow gold and vivid green malachite stone dials.
The trend for stone dials has had a bandwagon effect in the watch industry, with players, small and large, succumbing to the temptation of adorning their models with exotic stones and even slivers of meteorite. However, like Piaget, Audemars Piguet got a head start in the field, with stone dials on its ultra-thin dress watches of the 1960s, and in 1988 with an ultra-slim Royal Oak reference in platinum with a lapis lazuli dial and a quartz movement. In 2023, AP released a stunning Royal Oak 37mm in yellow gold with a turquoise dial. In the same vein, AP unveils two Royal Oak Selfwinding references in 37mm and 41mm yellow gold cases, adorned with vivid green malachite dials.
Natural malachite is prized for its vibrant green colour and unique banded patterns. Fluctuations in the copper content produce subtle variations: a higher concentration of copper results in a deeper, more intense green, while smaller amounts produce a lighter shade. Formed during the crystallisation process, the striking banded patterns on the dial make each one unique. However, with a hardness of only 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale, cutting the relatively soft, heat-sensitive stone into ultra-thin slabs requires precision lapidary saws to avoid breakage.
Replacing the iconic Tapisserie dial of the Royal Oak with a rich, banded green malachite dial creates a dramatic, regal effect, enhanced by yellow gold hour markers and Royal Oak hands with a luminescent coating. Unlike the earlier RO turquoise edition, these models do not feature a date window at 3 o’clock, allowing the polished green stone to flow uninterrupted.
Refreshed in 2022 to mark the model’s 50th anniversary, the 37mm Royal Oak slimmed down from a height of 9.8mm to 9mm thanks to the incorporation of the Vaucher-sourced calibre 5909, a 4Hz automatic with a 60-hour power reserve. However, with the malachite dial, the case height has increased slightly to 9.3mm. The 41mm model retains its regular case height of 10.5mm and is powered by the automatic calibre 4309. Its large 32mm diameter ensures excellent chronometric performance and delivers a solid 70-hour power reserve.
Both references are paired with integrated 18k yellow gold bracelets with a triple-blade folding clasp. The 37mm version retails for CHF 59,800, while the 41mm size has a price of CHF 64,700.
For more information, please visit AudemarsPiguet.com.
