Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo”

THE ROYAL OAK “JUMBO” EXTRA-THIN VIBRATES WITH NEW ENERGY

To celebrate the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is delighted to introduce the newest generation of 39 mm Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin (ref. 16202), which houses the Manufacture’s new selfwinding extra-thin movement, Calibre 7121. The collection comprises four models in stainless steel, platinum, as well as 18-carat pink and yellow gold—materials that have played an instrumental role in transforming the Royal Oak into an iconic collection. The four timepieces are also fitted with the dedicated Royal Oak’s “50 years” oscillating weight matched to the hue of the case. With its refined contrasts, materials, colours and dial animations, the new “Jumbo” offering pays tribute to 50 years of Royal Oak design innovation.

CALIBRE 7121, A CONTEMPORARY TAKE ON HISTORY

For the first time since 1972, the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin welcomes a new selfwinding hour, minute and date movement, Calibre 7121, which marks the debut of the new “Jumbo” reference 16202. This mechanism replaces Calibre 2121, the thinnest automatic movement with central rotor and date indication of its time (3.05 mm) first introduced on the Royal Oak in 1972, which retired at the end of 2021. The new movement, which measures 3.2 mm in thickness, has been specifically conceived and produced by Audemars Piguet engineers and watchmakers to fit in the extra-thin 8.1 mm “Jumbo” case without altering its aesthetic and thickness. Furthermore, the driving stem is now endowed with a rapid date-corrector.

Five years of development were necessary for the realisation of the new Calibre 7121, which is endowed with more energy than its predecessor thanks to its new construction. Its larger barrel confers it more power, making it more precise for a longer period of time. It is also equipped with a contemporary central oscillating weight mounted on ball bearings that utilises two reversers1 developed in-house to ensure bidirectional winding. Its balance wheel is fitted with inertia blocks that have been directly inserted within the balance wheel to avoid unnecessary friction. In addition, Calibre 7121 is equipped with a patented extra-thin low-energy date-setting mechanism.

Upholding fine watchmaking tradition, Calibre 7121 has been finished with refined Haute Horlogerie decorations such as “Côtes de Genève,” “traits tirés” and circular graining that can be admired through the watch’s sapphire caseback.

A DEDICATED 50TH-ANNIVERSARY OSCILLATING WEIGHT

The new Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin timepieces are fitted with the dedicated anniversary openworked oscillating weight in 22-carat gold, which features the “50 years” logo and the engraved Audemars Piguet signature. For the occasion, the oscillating weight has been matched to the colour of each case – a practice usually reserved to complicated timepieces. Similarly to the case, the oscillating weight has been finished with an alternation of satin-finishing and polished chamfers.

STAINLESS STEEL, A TRIBUTE TO THE ORIGINAL WATCH

The stainless steel “Jumbo” version has retained the aesthetics of the original Royal Oak from 1972. A steel case and bracelet, hand finished with satin-brushing and polished chamfers, are complemented with the watch’s iconic Petite Tapisserie dial and Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 (“night blue, cloud 50”) hue.

The dial’s Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 colour was originally developed by Geneva-based dial maker Stern Frères. The blue hue was obtained by immersing each dial in a galvanic bath. While the formulation of the mixture is important, the duration and temperature are both crucial. If the artisan removes the dial too early, it comes out purple, if removed too late it turns black. A thin layer of varnish mixed with a few drops of black colour (n° 50) was then applied onto the dial to protect it. The term “nuage” refers to the cloud effect the drop of black creates when it enters the protective liquid varnish. Today, the Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 hue is achieved internally through PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) to ensure a more homogeneous colour across the collection.