Notable: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 26265FO Concept Carbon

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Among the three Swiss luxury watchmaking giants including Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet undoubtedly pushes the boundaries between design and innovation the furthest. Take Code 11.59 as an example, this is one of the most controversial versions in five years; the watch uses a new and modern case, dial design and two new movements. Is there any other brand with such a high level and popularity, instead of looking forward with such a firm determination? This commitment is most true in its Royal Oak concept series, where the brand embraces its roots while embracing innovation and ultra-modern design. Although it may not be the boldest in the concept series, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak concept carbon fiber continues the brand’s approach to breaking the limits.

history
The Royal Oak Concept Series is Audemars Piguet’s playground. Think of it as Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works or Google’s X development team. The series draws on the concept of the concept car, and aims to give the Associated Press watchmakers the opportunity to test the limits of their technical prowess and adopt a futuristic avant-garde design. The first concept watch CW1 was launched in 2002, with a limited edition of 150 pieces. Concept watches all have the same universal case design, an ultra-modern interpretation of the Royal Oak case, and most of them not only innovate mechanically, but also use cutting-edge materials such as titanium, carbon and ceramics. The concept series has always been a staging area for many tourbillon watches, the first ever specially manufactured Laptimer (made for the legendary F1 driver Michael Schumacher), the groundbreaking Supersonnerie minute repeater, and of course, inspired by Marvel. Black panther model. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Carbon released in 2008 further expanded the series by combining a chronograph and tourbillon in a high-tech case.

plan the details
This watch is not suitable for the faint-hearted or those with slight wrists. With a width of 44 mm, a length of 57.7 mm, and a height of 16 mm, the volume of AP Royal Oak concept carbon fiber is inevitable. The angular case injects a modern touch into the brand’s classic Royal Oak design, retaining the iconic bezel, while adding facets and bevels to the middle case structure. Despite its obvious wrist presence, the watch will not frustrate you. The main case is made of forged carbon, the bezel is made of black ceramic, as are the crown and buttons. If this is not enough material science for you, then the back cover ring is made of black titanium with sapphire crystal on the front and back. Of course, all these high-tech components do not stop the AP from performing its stunning finish, and every angle and chamfer is as impressive as you might expect. (If you don’t know yet: the screws on the bezel are not actually screws, which is why they can be oriented reliably as they are; they are threaded nuts that are embedded in the hexagonal holes and passed through the bottom cover screws, you will notice that they do not Fully aligned.)

The Royal Oak concept carbon fiber dial has a lot to see, so let’s start at 12 o’clock. At the top of the dial, the AP name arcs through the double-faced disc, shared with the striking red power reserve, indicated by the stubby bevel and brushed hands. At about 3 o’clock, you can see the linear chronograph display. The display is a huge change from the traditional chronograph, although with the luminous central chronograph hands, it can only track up to 30 minutes. The minutes are represented by black dots next to each number on the right (when the time reaches 10 and 20 minutes, there is a black dot next to 1 or 2 on the left). The problem is that legibility is poor: the dots are small and exist in a sea of ​​gray and black.

The 6 o’clock position is the crown function indicator, which is placed on a plate similar to the top. The indicator shows whether the screw-in crown is in neutral (‘N’), rewind (‘R’) or time setting (‘H’). Except for some highly complex timepieces, the crown may operate beyond time and winding functions. It is difficult to see the necessity of such a display-but without it, the space at 6 o’clock would appear empty. Moving to the 9 o’clock position, the tourbillon is suspended in the hollow dial. Its dial side bridges contrast with the linear chronograph display and create balance throughout the dial. The brushed earpiece is as bold as the watch itself, with a hollow part and a luminous application to match the luminous slanted chapter ring that surrounds it.

The strap is hand-stitched crocodile leather, with what the brand calls a “big square” pattern and a beautiful folding buckle made in the shape of the AP logo. The lock itself has a polished logo.

Driving the display is the best Audemars Piguet Calibre 2895 composed of 388 components. This internal hand-wound movement not only has a tourbillon escapement visible from the dial, but also fully integrates a column wheel chronograph. The balance wheel adopts PVD ​​coating, and is equipped with a movable stud balance spring and a variable inertia screw. The main board (which doubles as the dial) is made of carbon, the bridge is anodized aluminum, and the central bridge is green aluminum.

However, the material here is not that amazing. The 34 jewel movement has a double cone power reserve device and a double barrel, which can provide an amazing 10 days of power. This power reserve is popular in such watches because it means that the Royal Oak Concept Carbon Fiber can adapt to the collector’s regular rotation without being entangled between wear and tear. The movement beats at 3hz.

For those who want a less avant-garde and modern Audemars Piguet experience, but are still looking for something bolder than the ordinary Royal Oak, the Royal Oak Offshore is your best choice because it provides a slightly modern , The large capacity is on the original. This Arnold Schwarzenegger limited edition uses a solid black ceramic case and gold decorations. Despite the traditional chronograph display, its boldness is no less than that of the conceptual carbon cousins. Of course, while AP may be unique among the Big Three pushing these limits, it is not the only watch brand to do so: both Richard Mille and Hublot have extensively experimented with new materials, cutouts, and novel complications and displays.

With the eye-catching appearance of the wrist and the legibility of the chronograph, owning the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Carbon is more about the statement of the watch than the watch itself. Concept Carbon will completely eliminate the affinity for cutting-edge technology and novel realization of classic complex functions. With its impeccable lines and mottled carbon fiber case, this watch begs for a sporty modern lifestyle to accompany it.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Carbon has a combination of tourbillon, linear chronograph and case materials, adding another grade to the impressive timepiece concept series belt. Thirteen years after its release, it is still a bold product of a brand that continues to push the boundaries of luxury watchmaking. cheap mens watches