Known for its affinity for tasteful keepsakes, Audemars Piguet has long reigned the world of Haute Horlogerie with its timeless designs and unparalleled complications. This time, the Swiss watchmaker stays rooted in its rich heritage with the release of the “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic. It is through this unprecedented ceramic that the haute horologist draws inspiration from the shades of the Vallée de Joux’s night sky, a blue so deep it blankets the stunning landscape over with darkness. And yet, this bottomless blue is exactly the kind of shade needed to bring out the glimmering stars. In much of the same way, Audemars Piguet aspires to highlight its timepieces and robust movements further using this new robust material.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked
Years after its initial development, the “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” is finally ready to make an appearance in three of Audemars Piguet’s novelties. First to don this robust ceramic is the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked, a 41 mm timepiece driven by the self-winding Calibre 3132. Akin to how the stars in Le Brassus glow effervescently against the dark sky, the intricacies of the openworked dial is further enhanced thanks to the “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic case, which also features the haute horologist’s iconic hexagonal screws.
Though the material is made to be durable, the ceramic bracelet that seamlessly attaches to the case is flexible enough to ensure maximum comfort. As the watch’s gem-studded gears turn and creat a fascinating view, so too do the Royal Oak hands. In the dark, the luminescent hands vividly point towards the luxury watch’s 18-carat pink gold hour markers. Equipped with a 45-hour power reserve, the new Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked is the enticing piece collectors seek to possess.
Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph
Whilst the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked embraces a mix of both cool and warm tones, the next timepiece to don the dapper blue ceramic leans towards the cooler spectrum. The 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph possesses a similar case and bracelet as the former watch, but its dial is instead crafted in the Manufacture’s signature sophisticated Méga Tapisserie. The watch is equipped with a flyback function, and displays its hours, minutes, and small seconds counters in the haute horologist’s trademark fashion.
Whilst the three counters take over half of the dial on the left side, a small date window can be seen at the 3 o’clock mark. Naturally, the luxury watch also features a convenient tachymeter that runs along the perimeter of the dial. To suit its versatile size, Audemars Piguet fitted the timepiece with the self-winding Calibre 4404, lending the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph a 70-hour power reserve.
Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Automatique
With two classics introduced in the new colour, it is only natural for the haute horologist to introduce a sportier novelty in “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50”. Fuelled by Calibre 4401, which has a 70-hour power reserve, the 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Automatique is the last to be crafted of the ceramic this time around.
Unlike the previous two novelties, this sporty Royal Oak watch features a stainless steel case that juxtaposes the deep “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50″ ceramic bezel complemented by the brand’s iconic hexagonal screws. Aside from the central function, the Méga Tapisserie dial features the hour counter at 3 o’clock, minute counter at the 6 o’clock position, and a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock. The timepiece is accompanied by an interchangeable calfskin leather strap or rubber strap, both of which are made in the same “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” tone.
