2023 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26420CE.OO.A127CR.01

Hands On: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37mm Turquoise Dial

A throwback to the stone dials of yesteryear.

Audemars Piguet (AP) just unveiled a dozen new models, from the Royal Oak "Jumbo" with a grained dial to the first offshore-style chronograph with a ceramic bracelet. But despite being the smallest of the newly launched watches, it stands out. The Royal Oak Automatic 37mm Turquoise Dial features yellow gold and striking gemstone dials, reminiscent of the days when the early Royal Oaks featured a range of mineral gemstone dials.

initial thought
While relatively common in the '70s and '80s when stone dials were all the rage, the turquoise-gold combination is quite unusual today. But there's a certain timelessness to it, so the combination still has appeal. In fact, it even feels pop, a testament to the longevity of the Royal Oak design (and the currently popular robin egg blue dial).

The design and color palette of this watch is inherently appealing. The design is simple—almost minimalist in Royal Oak terms—but the watch has a presence due to its colour. It's vibrant and loud, the polar opposite of the all-new platinum "Jumbo," which is decidedly understated by comparison.replica luxury watches

One element that I would like to differentiate is the seconds hand – I prefer the dual-hand dial, as on the vintage Royal Oak models with the stone dial. This simplicity will further accentuate the dial material.

The case is indeed a bit small for a modern men's watch. It's an acceptable size, but the size of the model means it feels slightly smaller than it really is (unlike the "Jumbo" which feels larger than its 39mm diameter). The size combined with the stone dial gives it a vintage feel that almost feels like a replica of a 1990s Royal Oak.

Still, it's a handsome, compact watch, and at CHF 51,000, it's a reasonable proposition by Royal Oak standards. Granted, the waiting list will be long, but it's sure to be a compelling buy.

Incidentally, the choice of turquoise over any other mineral gemstone was almost certainly a play on the color's popularity, largely driven by Patek Philippe's limited-edition Nautilus watch for Tiffany & Co. It seems like a smart move to boost the appeal of the mid-sized Royal Oak, which presumably doesn't have the same appeal as its larger or smaller counterparts.cheap replica watches

bring back semi precious stones
Mineral gemstone dials were popular for two decades in the 1960s, and were often found on various ultra-thin AP dress watches from that period, although Royal Oaks with gemstone dials were less common. The new Royal Oak is reminiscent of its historical siblings, who were almost all mid-sized models of similar size.

Interestingly, while a variety of stone dials can be found on vintage Royal Oaks, turquoise is a novelty for this model. The turquoise used here is slightly darker than usual and has faint veins, according to the Associated Press.

Native to Mexico – the stone was revered in ancient Mesoamerican cultures – the turquoise used for the dial is worked in the usual way for such dials. It is first cut into flat discs, then polished using a variety of techniques and finally ground with a fine abrasive paste to smooth the surface. The turquoise disc is then secured to the brass base with adhesive, giving it strength and durability.replica Zenith Chronomaster Sport

Impressively, almost all elements of the dial are secured and secured with feet, which requires drilling small holes in the stone—a delicate process that often results in cracks.

As is standard for the Royal Oak collection, the applied hour markers, hands and AP logo are in solid 18k gold. As well as solid gold elements, the dial features printed minute markers and an understated three-point date in a matching shade of blue. As a result, the dial is very clean, allowing the natural texture of the gemstones to take center stage.

The case is 18k yellow gold, an unusual metal for the current Rose Gold-dominated Royal Oak range, but one that fits perfectly with the dial color and vintage style of the best replica watches.

The case design incorporates tweaks from the Royal Oak 50th Anniversary model that debuted last year, including wider bevels on the case edges and a more pronounced taper to the bracelet. These changes give the watch a sharper silhouette.

Inside the box is the calibrator. 5900, one of AP's latest generation in-house movements. First appeared last year in Royal Oak 37 mm ref. 15550, calibrated. The 5900 is a compact movement with the typical features of the brand's latest in-house movements, namely a useful 60-hour power reserve and a free balance wheel held by a full bridge.Jacob & Co. Astronomia Sky

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 37mm Turquoise Dial
Ref. 15550BA.OO.1356BA.01

Diameter: 37mm
Height: 8.9mm
Material: 18k Yellow Gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 meters

Movement: Cal. 5900
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date Winding: Automatic
frequency
: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 60 hours

Strap: 18k gold bracelet with folding clasp