Continuing Audemars Piguet’s celebration of the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, which has already seen updates to the “Jumbo” Extra-Thin with the Ref. 16202, they’ve launched their latest piece of premier haute horology. Building on the Selfwinding Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon of 2020, they’ve created the first ever Openworked Selfwinding Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon Ref. 26735ST.OO.1320ST.01 with a new calibre and a freshly openworked dial.
To ‘openwork’ a timepiece means to remove as much material from the mainplate and bridges of the movement as possible without impacting its ability to function. The result it an architectural marvel with the movement’s inner workings on show. For the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked, said movement is the Calibre 2972, which is the next generation of the calibre 9250 used in the 2020 edition I mentioned earlier.
Calibre 2972 was created by using CNC and EDM machining to remove precise amounts of material from the movement to create the intricacies of the openworked face with its three dimensional appearance. It was then hand finished with an absolute plethora of haute horological decorations including ‘Trait Tirés,’ satin, circular and sunray brushing, snailing, polished chamfers and both vertical and horizontal brushing. All in the rhodium colour that best compliments the stainless steel case.
There’s a lot going on and that’s before you even get to the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock or the tiny revolving cage around the balance wheel. These days there are more than enough tourbillons on the market, and they’ve lost some of their haute horology lustre. The flying tourbillon though, supported from below to look like it’s levitating, is always impressive.
Plus, Audemars Piguet have a long tradition of innovating with tourbillon technology. They produced the world’s first selfwinding tourbillion in 1986 and then the first Royal Oak tourbillon in 1997. Following that there have been openworked editions and flying tourbillion versions but never, until now, an Openworked Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon.
The new calibre is housed inside a 41mm stainless steel case that’s been updated inline with all the other 50th anniversary models. Larger polished chamfers make for a more dynamic and slender appearance thanks to a greater contrast between the satin brushed and polished facets. The caseback has also been updated with a better integrated sapphire crystal exhibition back and the 50th anniversary rotor that will be used on models throughout 2022. And finally, the integrated bracelet has a more pronounced taper across the first four links, ultimately leading to a thinner bracelet that’s more comfortable to wear.
Considering what Audemars Piguet have done with their previous openworked models, it’s surely a matter of time until the steel edition is joined by some precious metal cousins, probably with rainbow gem bezels. At which point I wonder if Stormzy and Dave will change their lyrics to ‘My AP’s got a flying tourbillon, millimetres forty-one.’
Price & Specs:
Model: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked
Reference: 26735ST.OO.1320ST.01
Case/dial: 41mm diameter x 10.6mm height, stainless steel, openworked dial
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: In-house Calibre 2972, automatic, 27 jewels, 271 parts
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 65h
Functions: Hours, minutes, flying tourbilion
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with AP folding clasp
Price/availability: Price on request
More details at Audemars Piguet.
