CHANGE OF PACE
The manufacture from Le Brassus gifts one of its flagship models with a heart that’s more efficient by design, in the form of a new caliber with column wheel and vertical clutch.
After the Code 11.59, Audemars Piguet is now enhancing its collections with novel Royal Oak Chronograph pieces boasting 38 mm-diameter cases. For these timepieces, the manufacture placed the focus on a brand new caliber, the 6401 that beats at 4 Hz and supersedes the 2385 (3 Hz) launched some 30 years ago. An architectural upgrade resulted in a more compact construction (27 x 5.7 mm) despite the large amount of components within, 348. Three initial references today enjoy the performances and characteristics of the selfwinding movement (55-hour power reserve). All come with a sapphire-crystal back that invites to discover the stylized oscillating weight, among other things.
This trio hosts the signature Grande Tapisserie pattern on their dials, rolled out in midnight blue, dark gray, and Sand Gold. Here, the ever-so easy-to-read time-data scenography reigns with its chronograph and small-seconds counters, along with an hour chapter made up of Super-LumiNova®-topped markers. The date aperture sites at 4:30, like on its 41 mm elder siblings. These Royal Oak Chronograph iterations are available in steel or in 18-karat rose gold, completed by their integrated bracelet, crafted with links made from the same material. One variation stands out through its wonderfully-precious personality as its bezel’s strewn with 40 diamonds. No matter the style options Audemars Piguet offers, all these upgrades ensure the chic & sporty look is increasingly versatile.
