5 decades ago, Audemars Piguet created one of the undisputed icons of watchmaking. The Royal Oak’s birthday collection opens with a new version of the “Jumbo” model, powered by a new, flat mechanism with an occasional rotor.Replica Watches
The year 1972 is one of the most important dates in watchmaking history, especially in terms of watchmaking. Gerald Genta, then a recognized designer at the time, drew on the request of the Audemars Piguet manufactory his vision of an unusual, sports watch in steel with an integrated bracelet. Replica Watches The angular shape of the case meant that the Genta’s design (and finally the AP watch) did not meet with an enthusiastic reception – which is probably the best proof that every icon has to earn a while for its status. Probably each of you knows how the fate of the Royal Oak unfolded, and to say that today it is still one of the most iconic timepieces will not be an exaggeration.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was the hero of the #KultoweZegarki series – see HERE.
When a year ago AP announced through the mouth of its CEO – Francois-Henry Bennahmias – that the classic RO Ref. 15202 is ending its life, a replacement was sure to be. It was even more certain that we can expect it on the occasion of the 50th birthday of the model, which will fall this year. AP did not disappoint and did not make its fans wait too long. The first edition of the jubilee, anniversary RO collection is a dozen or so new references, including the most anticipated one – the new “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Ref. 16202.
It is not appropriate for us not to start describing a watch (actually four watches) with the most important novelty – automatic caliber. Marked with the number 7121, the 3.2 mm flat movement was made at Le Brassus for 5 long years and seems to be a more than worthy successor to the famous caliber 2121.
Compared to its predecessor, the 7121 has several significant design improvements that translate into improved parameters. The new design of the automatic winding with the rotor working effectively in both directions increased the power reserve of the movement to 55 hours. Equipped with inertial pulleys,
the balance clocked at 4 Hz is mounted on a golden, full bridge. For an interesting visual effect, exactly the same bridge supports the spring drum. Just like its predecessor, the new movement has a date complication, which now has a convenient, quick correction. The whole is crowned with an anniversary rotor made of 22 ct gold,
with the “50 Years” logo integrated into a skeleton and carefully finished structure. Such a rotor will go to all anniversary ROs produced in 2022. The rest of the mechanism is decorated with Geneva stripes, polished edges and pearls. All of this on display behind a sapphire caseback.
4 versions – 4 materials
Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Ref. 16202 will be available in four versions. Each of them has the classic 39 mm diameter, 8.1 mm thickness, 50 m WR and an integrated in the ears, even a meticulously finished bracelet. The most important thing is, of course, the steel dial, combined with the classic blue Petite Tapisserie dial. This type of guilloche disc is made in-house on old, manually operated guillotines, following the pattern originally made by Stern Frères for AP.
The recurring small squares motif has become the hallmark of Royal Oak over the years. The steel version of the dial is traditionally blue, with a shade AP calls Blue Nuit,
Nuage 50 (French for: Blue Night, Cloud 50). The desired shade is created by the PVD coating process. The dial then features a set of oval hour indices and typically Royal Oak hands – all made of white gold, just like those applied at 6 logos. The date window is visible at 3, and at the bottom, the index at 6 is surrounded by SWISS MADE.
Next to the steel, the new “Jumbo” will also be made of 18ct rose and yellow gold, with matching bracelets. In the first option,
a warm shade of metal was combined with a gradient gray dial and rose gold applications. In the second, AP decided to go a little stylistically crazy and propose a yellow dial,
which also changes in a gradient from a bright yellow in the middle to a deep black at the edge.
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Finally, the collection is complemented by a platinum model reserved for AP House boutiques. Here, AP opted for the variant of a solid, platinum case and bracelet shown a year ago,
combined with a gradient, green dial decorated with sunray.Fake Rolex Watch
As we have already got used to, the new Royal Oaks, just like the old ones,
will probably be extremely difficult to buy – even though none of them is limited. Long queues of willing people have probably started to line up,
ready to put quite large sums of money on the table. In RO steel “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Ref. 16202ST will cost EUR 31,800 (~ PLN 146,000). The zloty variants cost EUR 67,700 (~ PLN 311,000), and the platinum option costs EUR 109,500 (~ PLN 503,000).
