Swiss watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet (Instagram) has released three highly creative timepieces for the Middle East. Conceived in collaboration with dedicated collectors from the United Arab Emirates, these special editions celebrate the region’s rich culture and passion for fine watchmaking, emphasizing both traditional craftsmanship and innovative design.
Le Brassus-based watchmaker Audemars Piguet has always been synonymous with advanced artistry and technical skill. This November, the brand has unveiled three special editions for the Middle Eastern market, embodying its collaborative ethos and dedication to fine watchmaking. The creation of these pieces was initiated during the “Create the Extraordinary” workshop in Dubai in 2022—a milestone that marked the first time a watchmaker directly involved local collectors in the design process. Each timepiece is engraved with “Special Edition” and “Create the Extraordinary” to commemorate this special occasion. The series expertly blends high-end technology with centuries-old savoir-faire, encapsulating the brand’s commitment to innovation and precision.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
This perpetual calendar model stands out by fusing titanium with Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG), a first for Audemars Piguet in this complication. Its mirror-polished BMG components, including the bezel, caseback frame and bracelet studs, contrast with the satin-brushed titanium case and bracelet links, while the vertically-brushed ivory dial—adorned with Hindu-Arabic numerals and rhodium subdials—adds a touch of elegance. The ultra-thin Calibre 5133 movement sets a benchmark in contemporary watchmaking, showcasing a patented 2.9 mm design that consolidates perpetual calendar functions on a single plane.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked in White Ceramic
Featuring an all-white ceramic case and bracelet, this 41 mm special edition is a vision is simply beautiful. The intricate design reveals the openworked self-winding Calibre 3132, highlighted by a blue aventurine inner bezel and white gold hour-markers. Notably, Audemars Piguet’s double balance wheel mechanism enhances the movement’s precision and stability, encapsulating the brand’s pursuit of technical innovation.
Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon
This piece combines black ceramic and stainless steel within the case, creating a modern, dual-tone aesthetic. The dial, crafted from meteorite, creates a unique, textured setting for the flying tourbillon—a symbol of horological artistry. The gray inner bezel enhances the dial’s cohesive tones, while the rhodium-toned pink-gold Hindu-Arabic numerals and sleek baton hour markers add a touch of refined elegance. With its selfwinding Calibre 2950 and a meticulously finished 6 o’clock tourbillon, this watch encapsulates the elegance and technical mastery that define Audemars Piguet.
These special editions highlight the brand’s collaborative values, the combination of contemporary designs with ancestral know-how, and the uncompromising approach to Haute Horlogerie
With these special timepieces, Audemars Piguet offers watches created, for the first time, with the input of collectors, combining collaborative values with contemporary designs, ancestral know-how and an uncompromising approach to fine watchmaking. From the signature engravings to the use of advanced materials like BMG and ceramic, each watch in this collection not only tells time, but narrates a story of heritage and innovation. As these timepieces find their way onto the wrists of discerning collectors, they symbolize a bridge between tradition and forward-thinking design, reminding us to seek beyond the ordinary.
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