Swiss Haute Horlogerie powerhouse, Audemars Piguet (Instagram), has unveiled its latest gem: the Mini Royal Oak. Measuring a dainty 23 mm in diameter, these exquisite quartz models come in 18-carat yellow, white, or pink gold.
Inspired by the creative Mini Oak models of the late 90s, the latest Royal Oak Mini Frosted Gold Quartz timepieces blend heritage and modernity. Their glamorous design and captivating play of light ensure they stand out. Powered by the quartz Calibre 2730, these watches offer remarkable battery life and include a feature to temporarily deactivate the battery, aligning with contemporary lifestyles while maintaining Haute Horlogerie standards.
Combining the robust aesthetic codes of the original Royal Oak with the dazzling brilliance of Frosted Gold, these timepieces are a visually stunning comeback. This trio of miniature watches draws inspiration from Audemars Piguet’s storied history of miniature and jewelry watches, echoing the 1997 20 mm Mini Royal Oak. The new “Mini Oak” collection reinterprets the smallest Royal Oak ever made, catering to the slenderest wrists with a contemporary quartz movement boasting over seven years of battery life.
Blurring the lines between jewelry and horology, the Royal Oak Mini models, crafted in 18-carat gold, blend the powerful aesthetic of the original Royal Oak, designed by Gérald Genta in 1972, with the delicate shimmer of Frosted Gold. This technique, inspired by ancient Florentine jewelry methods and reimagined by Carolina Bucci for Audemars Piguet in 2016, involves creating tiny indentations on the gold surface with a diamond-tipped tool, resulting in a sparkling effect akin to precious stones. This shimmering decoration underscores the Royal Oak’s inherent affinity with the world of jewelry. The original Royal Oak’s facetted case and bracelet, reminiscent of a diamond’s facets, play with light, a nod to the sophisticated metal bracelets that have adorned women’s watches since the 19th century.
Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, says of the pieces, “These mini creations pay tribute not only to Audemars Piguet’s long tradition of miniature and jewelry watches but also to the women who have left their mark on the history of the brand.”
The new Mini Oak models showcase a fascinating interplay of light, contrasting the diamond-dust effect of Frosted Gold with polished bevels that define the iconic octagonal bezel and individual links of the tapering bracelet. The satin finish on the case and bracelet adds depth and texture, enhancing the overall visual appeal. The solid caseback, featuring sandblasting, satin brushing, and polishing, mirrors the design’s meticulous attention to detail.
The dial plays with the light, which further accentuated by the subtle interplay of tones within the Petite Tapisserie dial. Facetted gold hour markers, filled with luminescent material, guarantee optimal legibility even in low-light conditions. The Audemars Piguet signature, discreetly printed in black upon a dedicated cartouche at 12 o’clock, reinforces the watch’s clarity. By omitting the date and seconds scale, the design prioritizes both readability and the undeniable sophistication of the guilloché dial. These exquisite timepieces transcend mere instruments, transforming into pieces of jewelry that grace the wrist with an air of bracelet-like elegance.
Since the 19th century, Audemars Piguet has excelled in creating small watches that push the boundaries of miniaturization, aesthetics and gemsetting. From classics to avant-garde creations, these timepieces are stunning examples of the evolution of watchmaking. Early feminine creations featured small complicated mechanisms in elegant pendant, brooch, or ring watches, often featuring enamel and precious stones. These creations led to new styles of bracelet watches, wristwatches, and pendant watches for both men and women.
The Royal Oak’s introduction in 1972 marked another turn in miniaturization. Jacqueline Dimier, head of the design office from 1975 to 1999, designed a version for women, resulting in the 29 mm Royal Oak II in 1976. This model, powered by the small self-winding Calibre 2062, retained the original’s codes but reduced its proportions to suit smaller wrists. The miniaturization of quartz movements in the 1980s allowed for even smaller high-performance watches.
The Royal Oak Mini watches are a revival of a feminine masterpiece but also a nod to the Royal Oak collection’s enduring versatility, transcending decades, gender, trends, and dimensions. These petite yet powerful timepieces continue to push the boundaries of luxury watchmaking, offering a perfect blend of elegance and innovation for today’s discerning watch enthusiasts.
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