Stay cool with the new AP Royal Oak Frosted Gold duo
For the release of his new series about watchmakers’ partnerships, Frank Sans C chose to present two Royal Oak Frosted Gold timepieces from Audemars Piguet collection: a chronograph movement model for men and a little diameter model for women (or men with slenderest wrists). Both editions are the newest mind-blowing releases of 2021!
Royal Oak: an iconic watchmaking design
The Royal Oak, which was designed in just one night by the genius Gerald Genta in 1972, needs no introduction (An incredible Gerald Genta Mickey watch has been unveiled during the Geneva Watch Days, you can see it on Frank Sans C instagram account: @fd.lifestyle).
This true masterpiece of contemporary watchmaking will go down in history as the first luxury sports watch made of steel. At the time of its launching, there was quite some noise since it was worth several Rolex Submariner (watch the video of Frank Sans C)!
If you want to be able to recognize them, there’s only a few distinctive features you need to know: an octagonal bezel bearing eight hexagonal screws, its signature dial with “Grande Tapisserie” pattern and a strap fitted to the case.
Frosted Gold: an ancient jewellery technique as inspiration for the Royal Oak
Launched in 2016, for the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak for women, the first version of the Frosted Gold made quite an impression (read our article A frosted birthday for the Royal Oak for women).
Audemars Piguet had given its iconic watch to the Italian jewellery designer Carolina Bucci challenging her to give it a new face thanks to the old technique of gold hammering.
Hammered gold for a diamond-like shimmering effect
This traditional savoir-faire, also known as the Florentine technique, consists in tapping the metal surfaces with a diamond-tipped tool. This repeated movement creates multiple indentations on the surfaces and gives it a brilliant appearance.
This very meticulous method offers an astonishing result: a shimmering embossed surface that shines like a snow setting.
Thanks to the success of this model, the Brassus manufacture has since expanded its collection in collaboration with the Italian jewellery designer. They released new pieces for women, of course, but also for men.
Frank Sans C presented two new models of the first duo of his new series about watchmakers’ partnerships. These watches offer a great duality with hammered surfaces and perfectly polished ones. (Click here to access the first French channel about watchmaking Frank Sans C)
Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding Chronograph: a sport chic style par excellence
For men, it’s a model with a chronograph function that makes its appearance in the collection and some people will be left without one: this 41mm timepiece will be limited to only 200 pieces (Not 250 like Frank said on the video. What can we say? Sometimes he gets carried away…).
Audemars Piguet introduces a new light blue hue to its “Grande Tapisserie” pattern on the dial. At the heart of the complication, the manufacture also placed its next-generation chronograph movement: the selfwinding calibre 4401.
This column wheel movement with a flyback function is also visible on the caseback. This mechanical marvel is also equipped with a 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight.
Our Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding Chronograph technical data sheet.
Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding Model in 34mm: a real gem of watchmaking
The model for Women is a three-hand date version with a 34mm diameter: a perfectly studied size for slenderest wrists.
The innovation on this one is the light blue PVD coated dial that provides a beautiful light blue hue.
Visible through the caseback, the 5800 automatic calibre shows a 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight in 22-carat pink gold and a “Côtes de Genève” bottom plate.
Our 34mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding Model technical data sheet
You can rewatch the video below: