Audemars Piguet has just released four new tourbillon models, including three watches that aren’t Royal Oaks.
Through the years, the Swiss brand has involuntarily made itself dependent on the Royal Oak and now it’s trying to change that.
READ MORE: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: 3 reasons why watch lovers are obsessed
Code 11.59 Openworked Tourbillon, Flying Tourbillon and Flying Tourbillon Chronograph
In recent months, in addition to the omnipresent Royal Oak, AP has been trying to beat the drum for the Code 11.59.
The watch has been around for three years and AP feels like it didn’t really get the credit it deserves, hence the three new models.
All three pieces feature a tourbillon but they’re drastically different.
The first piece (above), the Openworked Tourbillon, features a 41mm 18k white gold case with blue ceramic inserts and a blue strap.
Obviously, the openworked movement will catch your eye because you can admire it through the dial.
It’s limited to 50 units and priced at $200,000 + taxes.
The second piece, the Flying Tourbillon, is likely to become a best-seller because the market loves blacked-out dials at the moment.
Made from white gold and black ceramic, it features a black onyx dial that steals the show – and the light.
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On the dial, you’ll find nothing except the indices for the minutes, the hands and, well, the little aperture for the flying tourbillon.
It costs $150,000 + taxes.
The third and final piece is the Flying Tourbillon Chronograph which, as the name suggests, combines the virtues of the second piece with a chronograph function.
It also features an openworked dial, which means you can see what’s going on underneath it.
Like the other two pieces, it uses ceramic and gold, and it’s limited to 50 pieces.
It costs $250,000.
So what about the Royal Oak?
In recent years, collectors have sort of forgotten that AP makes other pieces that aren’t the Royal Oak.
You can’t really blame them for that, though.
Since its introduction in the early 1970s, the Royal Oak has become a hit, commercially and critically.
A watch that everyone loves, everyone wants, and few can get.
While it is true that AP wants to change its perceived image as a ‘one-hit wander’, the company still wants and needs new Royal Oak models.
The new Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon GMT comes in with a chunky 44 mm titanium case, adorned with a green ceramic bezel and crown guard.
Meanwhile, the hands, logos and crown insert are made from pink gold.
The matching green rubber strap completes the look.
And the price? CHF 198,900 – or $203,000.
