The folks at Audemars Piguet were busy when they created their stunning new collections, unveiling a stunning array of new timepieces that showcase their horological prowess. As we delve into the details, you’ll discover an impressive lineup featuring several iterations of the iconic Royal Oak, each offering subtle updates that refresh the classic design while maintaining its unmistakable DNA. Keep on reading for all the details on the newest Audemars Piguet releases, including plenty of Royal Oaks, some Code 11.59s, and one very cool Concept.
Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in Blue Ceramic
- Ref. 26579CS.OO.1225CS.01
- Released August 2022
Following in the footsteps of the all-black ceramic Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar from 2017 and the all-white version from 2019, Audemars Piguet just dropped an all-blue edition–and it’s a head-turner. Aside from the vibrant blue shade of the slim case, octagonal bezel, integrated bracelet, and “Grande Tapisserie” dial, everything else remains the same. This is to say that the case measures a familiar 41mm and the movement that powers the watch is the ultra-thin Caliber 5134.
Although this is one of AP’s newest releases, we’ve already spotted the blue ceramic RO Perpetual Calendar on the wrists of Ed Sheeran, LeBron James, and Kevin Hart.
Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin RD#3 37mm
- Ref. 26660ST.OO.1356ST.01
- Released: September 2022
Audemars Piguet has been celebrating the 50th birthday of the Royal Oak all year and the newest model to join the anniversary collection is the 37mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin RD#3. This is actually the second version of the RD#3 with the first being the “Jumbo” Royal Oak RD#3 39mm released last April.
This more compact 37mm steel case maintains the same slender 8.1mm profile and it’s furnished with a striking purple Petite Tapisserie dial with a flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. RD is short for research and development and these special watches are where Audemars Piguet shows off its technical expertise, which in this instance is the ultra-thin Caliber 2968 automatic tourbillon movement (only 3.4mm thick!) that powers the watch.
Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon 41mm in Titanium
- Ref. 26730TI.OO.1320TI.04
- Released: September 2022
A new Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon 41mm joins the revamped AP RO 41 flying tourbillon lineup that debuted in January this year. This new model features a titanium case, a titanium bracelet, and a vibrant smoked blue-green Grande Tapisserie dial. Along with the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock, the dial is also home to a pair of baguette-cut diamonds at 12 o’clock.
The new titanium and blue-green Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon 41 is limited to 50 pieces.
Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT in Green
- Ref. 26589IO.OO.D056CA.01
- Released: September 2022
With exaggerated lines and bold proportions, the Royal Oak Concept collection is Audemars Piguet’s futuristic iteration of the classic Royal Oak. It debuted in 2002, which means the Concept is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year – and a big birthday isn’t complete without a new watch.
Meet the new edition of the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT (originally released in 2018), in a very on-trend green colorway. The 44mm case is fashioned from sandblasted titanium and it’s topped with a green ceramic bezel – a first for the Concept line. The dial includes a second time-zone indicator at 3, a crown position indicator at 6 (H = time setting, R = winding, N = neutral), and a flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. Driving the watch is the hand-wound Caliber 2954 movement that boasts a 10-day power reserve.
Code 11.59 Tourbillon Openworked
- Ref. 26600NB.OO.D346KB.01
- Released: September 2022
It may be the Royal Oak’s big year, but that hasn’t stopped AP from showing some love to the Code 11.59 collection too. Case in point is the new version of the Code 11.59 Tourbillon Openworked in white gold and bright blue ceramic.
Limited to only 50 pieces, the watch includes a 41mm case, comprised of a blue ceramic case and white gold bezel, lugs, crown, and caseback. There’s the familiar double-curved sapphire crystal on the dial side, shielding the visible open-worked hand-wound Caliber 2948 movement. The stunning movement, which can also be seen via the display caseback, is rendered in a matching blue tone via a chemical process called Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD).
Code 11.59 Flying Tourbillon with Black Onyx Dial
- Ref. 26396NB.OO.D002KB.01
- Released: September 2022
Another new Audemars Piguet release for late 2022 is the Code 11.59 Flying Tourbillon with a black onyx dial. These two-tone 41mm watches incorporate black ceramic cases with white gold bezels, lugs, crowns, and casebacks.
But the real star of the show is that black onyx dial, punctuated with rose hands and a flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. There’s also the black lacquered inner bezel with subtle rose gold minute markers that completes the sleek look of the watch. Inside the case is the self-winding Caliber 2950.
Code 11.59 Flying Tourbillon Chronograph in Two-Tone
- Ref. 26399NR.OO.D002KB.01
- Released: September 2022
The most complicated of the new Code 11.59 releases is the Flying Tourbillon Chronograph, executed in an appealing two-tone combination of black ceramic and rose gold. This technically impressive and visually striking watch marries a flying tourbillon and flyback chronograph inside the 41mm case.
Whether looking at the front or back of the watch, the beautifully designed and decorated self-winding Caliber 2952 is proudly on display. The black ceramic and rose gold Code 11.59 Flying Tourbillon Chronograph is limited to 50 pieces.
Rainbow Royal Oak in 41mm & 37mm
- Released: October 2022
Finally, we’ve arrived at what has got to be Audemars Piguet’s most show-stopping launch of the year (so far) – the new Royal Oak Rainbow lineup. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, rainbow watches are quickly becoming a staple among high-end watchmakers, grabbing the spotlight with their dazzling multicolored gemstones.
However, AP’s interpretation of the rainbow watch trend is slightly different; rather than setting one watch with stones in various colors, the brand launched an entire collection of monochromatic gem-set watches in 10 distinct shades. Available in either 37mm or 41mm, the Royal Oak Rainbow “50th Anniversary” watches are made in white gold and set with stones on the dials, bezels, bracelets, and crowns. 861 baguette-cut stones on the 41mm and 790 baguette-cut stones on the 37mm, to be exact. The ten gem choices include amethyst, blue sapphire, blue topaz, emerald, orange spessartite, pink tourmaline, ruby, tanzanite, yellow chrysoberyl, and tsavorite.
Will There Be More AP Releases in 2022?
With only a little over a month until we close out the year, will we see any more new releases from Audemars Piguet in 2022? Judging by how many new watches the brand has churned out so far, we have a sneaking suspicion that we’ll see a few more before the New Year. Stay tuned.
*All images courtesy of Audemars Piguet
