When Audemars Piguet (Instagram) first unveiled the Royal Oak in 1972, it was all about redefining the codes of fine watchmaking. Decades later, the brand is turning back to one of its most iconic design details: the deep, iridescent shade of Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50. Now, this legendary hue is making a triumphant return in a new range of Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore models that pay homage to heritage while pushing forward with bold, contemporary flair.
What makes Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 so iconic? It’s not just the name (which means “midnight blue, cloud 50”), but the story behind it. This hypnotic blue first appeared on the original tapisserie dials selected by Gérald Genta for the first Royal Oak back in 1972. The “nuage” or cloud effect emerged from a chemical reaction triggered by a touch of black pigment added to the liquid lacquer.
Fast forward to 2025, and Audemars Piguet is reviving this shade with modern manufacturing techniques—now using physical vapour deposition (PVD) to replicate that unmistakable blue. Reproducing this precise shade in high-tech ceramic was no easy feat—it took years to achieve a consistent, uniform tone. After being meticulously machined and sintered, each ceramic component is hand-finished to capture the polished and satin-brushed textures that define the bold geometry of the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore cases.
Originally unveiled in 2016, the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked remains one of Audemars Piguet’s most visually striking timepieces. Its openworked dial offers a front-row view of the in-house calibre 3132, where the star of the show is the dual balance wheel system—two balance wheels, each with its own hairspring, connected by a single balance staff. This ingenious setup enhances both precision and stability. Housed in a 41mm “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic case just 9.7mm thick, the watch is finished with vertically satin-brushed surfaces and sharply polished bevels. The integrated ceramic bracelet continues the sleek aesthetic. Against the rhodium-toned movement, a matching blue flange hosts luminescent hour markers, while pink gold accents on the hands, indices, and balance bridge add warmth and contrast. Despite the energy demands of its twin balance wheels running at 3Hz, the automatic movement maintains a solid 45-hour power reserve.
The iconic Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph gets a bold monochrome reboot with a full “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” treatment. This 42mm edition features a deep blue ceramic case, bracelet, crown guards, and pushers, all matched with a rich mega tapisserie dial in the same signature shade. Blue chronograph counters enhance the tonal impact, while subtle contrast is provided by steel hexagonal screws on the bezel, a titanium pusher, white gold hands and hour markers, and white accents on the tachymeter and sub-dials. Inside, the 4404 calibre powers things with an integrated automatic flyback chronograph, complete with a column wheel, vertical clutch, and an impressive 70-hour power reserve.
The 43mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Automatique mixes bold design with sharp contrast in a dynamic two-tone palette. The case combines stainless steel elements with “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic for the bezel, pushers, and screw-locked crown. The dial keeps the signature mega tapisserie pattern, paired with light blue snailed chronograph counters and a sloping inner bezel carrying the tachymeter scale. A date window is tucked between 4 and 5 o’clock, and luminescent white gold hands and hour markers complete the look. Under the hood, AP’s calibre 4401 delivers a 70-hour power reserve and flyback chronograph functionality with column wheel and vertical clutch. This model comes on a textured calfskin strap in matching blue, with an additional rubber strap included for versatility.
Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 is more than a shade, it’s a tribute to pushing boundaries, telling stories, through design, and staying timeless in a world that won’t stop moving. These watches are built to make a statement—on your wrist and beyond.
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