Imagine the wonderful iridescence and iridescent hues created by the light in the outdoor watering can after the rain. This is how the idea of ​​Carolina Bucci was born, when she imagined a Royal Oak different from all the others. And the implementation of the idea came in handy, as in 2022 Audemars Piguet celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the Royal Oak, its most emblematic model. The dial of the new Royal Oak Selfwinding 34 mm Black Ceramic is unparalleled. Instead of the traditional Tapisserie pattern with dozens of embossed squares forming a beautiful mosaic, the designer has applied a mirror effect to the squares, which change color depending on how light is refracted on them. The result is unexpected, very modern and elegant. The watch is completely made of black ceramic. Black, which is not considered a color, is the perfect canvas for reproducing the color spectrum of the rainbow depending on how the light reflects on the black dial.

How is this effect achieved? On the brass plate of the dial is placed a plate of synthetic sapphire, decorated with squares using the microbuilding method. Gold-plating the underside of the sapphire crystal, a technique developed specifically for the case, creates a mirror effect, filling the dial with light. The pattern of iridescent colors varies from dial to dial, making each watch unique.

The Royal Oak Selfwinding 34mm Black Ceramic comes in a special case, also designed by Carolina Bucci, again using the Tapisserie pattern but this time embossed. The all-black ceramic case and bracelet are interrupted by eight rose gold hex screws on the bezel. Every part of the watch has a flawless satin finish by the Manufacture’s skilled artisans, while the jewelery tips are polished to reflect the light perfectly.

The titanium and sapphire crystal case back is engraved with the phrase: “Limited Edition Carolina Bucci”, and below is the Caliber 5800 automatic movement with hours, minutes, seconds and date, 22 carat rose gold oscillating weight. overall watch aesthetic with rose gold screws, hands and hour markers.

Brilliant service

The talented jewelery designer from Florence is already well known in the watchmaking world, putting her signature on other time-tested Audemars Piguet creations. Who can forget the frozen watch he designed in 2016 for the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak for women, Jacqueline Dimier? Caroline Bucci was then called upon to modernize Gerald Genta’s original design and, in collaboration with Audemars Piguet, to revive the traditional Florentine metalworking technique. This is how the famous Frosted Gold models appeared, in which gold is beaten off with a special tool with a diamond tip and acquires a special fine texture, reminiscent of sparkling dust from thousands of tiny diamonds. The first models were ladies’ 37mm and 33mm, but since then Audemars Piguet has used the Frosted Gold finish on many other models, even in complex or even large “men’s” sizes. Such was the success of the Frosted Gold models that in 2018 the Italian designer collaborated again with Audemars Piguet to create a collection of 300 pieces in yellow gold with a Frosted Gold finish and a unique dial. Instead of the iconic Tapisserie pattern with its small embossed squares, Carolina Bucci opted for a flat, smooth mirrored dial, reminiscent of the calm waters of the lake, reflecting the surrounding landscape. Although the concept seemed simple, the Audemars Piguet craftsmen encountered a number of problems in its implementation, but the result justified them (see photo). here).

And now the Italian creator is back with another original idea, which she brought to life in a 34mm black ceramic Royal Oak Selfwinding collector’s item. Here, too, the mirror effect on the dial plays a leading role, but not one-dimensional, as in the previous model, but in combination with the characteristic rectangular Tapisserie pattern. These watches are designed for women and men with a special sense of style who appreciate sophisticated sophistication and eclectic modern design.

More about the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 34mm by Carolina Bucci can be seen in the video below…

More information about Audemars Piguet here.

Boutique Audemars Piguet: st. Bucharest, 21, Athens (tel.: 210-3629251)