A Trilogy of Audemars Piguet Models in a new “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” Ceramic

Audemars Piguet recreates a color intimately related to its first Royal Oak mannequin of 1972. Though the color described as “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” has appeared on many dials, it has by no means been replicated in high-tech ceramic. Impressed by the clear evening skies of the Vallée de Joux, this darker tone of blue ceramic is used on the three fashions – two Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs and a Royal Oak Openworked Double Steadiness.

Audemars Piguet’s blue ceramic pays homage to the well-known “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” tapisserie dial chosen by Gérald Genta for the dial of the primary Royal Oak in 1972 (reference 5402ST). Made by Geneva dial maker Stern, the darkish blue “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” color was obtained by including black pigment no.50 to the protecting varnish. The nuage or cloud impact was a chemical response produced by the small quantity of black pigment poured into the liquid lacquer. In the present day, the distinctive in-house color used on dials is obtained utilizing a PVD course of.

The problem of recreating this precise color in high-tech ceramic shouldn’t be understated, and it took a number of years to provide a homogenous hue. Having undergone machining and sintering, every ceramic element is completed by hand to recreate the polished and satin-brushed surfaces of the dynamic structure of the RO and ROO instances.

Royal Oak Double Steadiness Wheel Openworked

Launched in 2016, the dramatic Royal Oak Double Steadiness Wheel Openworked showcases many elements of the calibre 3132 on the dial. The showstopper, although, is the spectacle of the 2 stability wheels, every with its personal hairspring, linked by a single stability workers.

The 41mm blue ceramic case with a thickness of 9.7mm and ceramic bracelet are embellished with vertical satin-brushed surfaces and brightly polished bevels. Offering a robust distinction to the rhodium-toned motion, the flange bearing the luminescent hour markers can be blue, and there are vigorous pink gold particulars on the fingers, indices and the stability bridge. Though the 3Hz frequency of the stability wheels consumes quite a lot of energy, the automated motion nonetheless delivers a good autonomy of 45 hours.

Fast info: 41mm x 9.7mm – “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic case, crown and octagonal bezel – 50m water resistant – sapphire crystals back and front – openworked dial with “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” flange, utilized pink gold hour markers and fingers with SLN – calibre 3132 in-house automated, openworked – double stability – 21,600vph – 45h energy reserve – hours, minutes, seconds – “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic bracelet with titanium AP folding clasp – ref. 15416CD.OO.1225CD.01 – EUR 99,900

Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm

Following the design evolutions displayed on the lately launched all-black ceramic mannequin, the 42mm ROO receives a full “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” makeover that includes a blue ceramic case, pushers, crown guards and bracelet, a blue mega tapisserie dial and blue chronograph counters. The one contrasting components are the metal hexagonal screws within the bezel, the titanium pusher within the crown, the white gold indices and fingers and the white markings on the tachymetre scale and contained in the chronograph counters. Powered by the 4404 automated built-in flyback chronograph motion with a column wheel and vertical clutch, it packs a 70-hour energy reserve.

Fast info: 42mm x 15.3mm – “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic case, crown guards, crown and bezel – 100m water resistant – sapphire crystals back and front – “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” mega tapisserie dial and counters, utilized white gold indices and ROO fingers with SLN, “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” internal bezel with tachymetre scale, date window at 3 o’clock – calibre 4404, in-house – automated built-in flyback chronograph with column wheel – 28,800vph – 70h energy reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds, flyback chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour counters, date –  “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic bracelet with titanium AP folding clasp – ref. 26238CD.OO.1300CD.01 – EUR 85,900

Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43mm

With its two-tone go well with, this 43mm ROO performs with “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic elements and chrome steel components. The metal case center, caseback, crown chip and crown guards are countered with a blue ceramic bezel, push-pieces and screw-locked crown. The “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” dial has the traditional mega tapisserie sample with contrasting gentle blue snailed counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock and a blue sloping internal bezel with a tachymeter scale. The white gold fingers and indices have luminescent materials, and there’s a date window at 4:30. Powered by AP’s calibre 4401, this automated flyback chronograph with a column wheel and vertical clutch delivers a sturdy 70-hour energy reserve. In contrast to the opposite two ceramic fashions, this ROO is paired with an interchangeable “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” textured calfskin strap with a metal AP pin buckle. A complimentary rubber strap is delivered with the watch.

Fast info: 43mm x 14.4mm – metal case, crown guards and chip, “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic bezel, crown and pushers – 100m water-resistance – sapphire crystals back and front – “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” mega tapisserie dial, gentle blue snailed sub-dials, utilized white gold indices and ROO fingers with SLN, “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” internal bezel with tachymetre scale, date window at 4:30 – calibre 4401 in-house – automated built-in flyback chronograph with column wheel – 28,800vph – 70h energy reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds, flyback chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour counters, date –  interchangeable “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” calfskin strap with metal pin buckle – ref. 26420SO.OO.A029VE.01- EUR 42,400

For extra info, please seek the advice of audemarspiguet.com.