Cover The 43mm Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date
The 43mm Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date
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A next-gen carbon makes its debut at Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet has long been synonymous with inventive timekeeping, pushing the boundaries of horology with bold designs and technical breakthroughs. The new 43mm Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date showcases the brand’s innovative spirit by inaugurating a new forged carbon.
Developed over five years in Audemars Piguet’s R&D workshop, this cutting-edge material is crafted using Chroma Forged Technology (CFT), which offers a new aesthetic with subtle touches of colour. Ultra-light and highly resistant to humidity, heat, and shocks, the deep black carbon with blue luminescent pigments enhance this Royal Oak Carbon’s futuristic, high-tech aesthetic.
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Above The high-tech look of the CFT carbon case is matched with ceramic bezel, pushers and crown
The high-tech look of the CFT carbon case is matched with ceramic bezel, pushers and crown
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Forged carbon, a material used for helicopter rotor blades, was introduced to the watchmaking world by Audemars Piguet in 2007 in the 44mm Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph Ref. 26062FS. It has since then been featured on several of the brand’s timepieces, notably the Royal Oak Concept Laptimer, a revolutionary chronograph capable of measuring consecutive laps, designed in collaboration with racing driver champion Michael Schumacher. Forged carbon last appeared in 2016 on the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph QE II Cup.
With the new patented Chroma Forged Technology (CFT), the carbon fibres can now be added be coloured directly instead of the resin, opening up a wide range of creative possibilities. The process demands significant expertise.
The carbon fibres are first cut into small pieces and coloured with pigments. These are manually arranged in a mould following the desired design, layered several times with resin, and compressed to form an air-free block. The block is then cured under pressure in an autoclave for about 10 hours to reveal the resin's properties and produce a block of carbon. Finally, the carbon block is meticulously machined for six to eight hours to achieve the final component.
“This new CFT carbon is testament to our teams’ expertise and to the endless quest for innovation that has driven Audemars Piguet since its inception in 1875. It also opens up new creative horizons, promising many surprises for haute horlogerie enthusiasts in the years to come.”
Above White gold hour markers and hands are filled with luminescent material that glows blue in the dark
White gold hour markers and hands are filled with luminescent material that glows blue in the dark
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The 43mm Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date features a case middle crafted in CFT carbon. Each case is unique, showcasing a distinct motif due to the manual blending process. The watch case is combined with a black ceramic bezel, pushers, and crown.
The two-toned timepiece features an openworked dial with electric blue accents, The bright colour of the inner bezel and external zones of the three counters contrasts with the grey and black tones of the movement. The white gold hour markers and hands are filled with luminescent material that appears white during the day but turns blue in the dark.
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Above Once mounted, the components of the openworked Calibre 4407 can be seen through the architectural dial
Once mounted, the components of the openworked Calibre 4407 can be seen through the architectural dial
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The watch is powered by the self-winding Calibre 4407, based on Calibre 4401 introduced in 2019, and features a flyback chronograph, split-seconds, GMT, and a large date.
Through the sapphire caseback, the split-seconds wheel and two actuating clamps, typically hidden from view in self-winding watches, are visible at the centre of the platinum oscillating weight under the X-shaped bridge holding it in place.
With its combination of high-tech materials like the CFT carbon and advanced mechanical engineering, the 43mm Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date not only exemplifies Audemars Piguet's relentless pursuit of innovation but also reinforces the Royal Oak Concept’s status as a trailblazer in contemporary watchmaking.
Discover more about the watch here.
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