We would like to thank the Audemars Piguet Boutique Paris for their invaluable assistance, which has enabled us to share our passion with you.
Thierry Castagna / The Watch Quote™
Photos Luc Virginius
The luxury watches portal by La Cote des Montres - Digital Influencer since 2002
wednesday December 12th, 2018
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Test Bench
When launched in 1972, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, was “The most expensive watch in the world” (at 3000 francs). Many versions have been produced over the next thirty years, including some special series that are now highly prized by collectors.
Royal Oak Chrono Special Edition
Exclusively from the Audemars Piguet Boutique Paris
The Watch Quote™ - March 12th, 2005
Created exclusively for the Audemars Piguet Boutique Paris, this ultimate version of the legendary Royal Oak Chronograph is an especially interesting option for lovers of sports timepieces. Based on the classic model, this exceptional series of 50 examples in micronized pigment-coated titanium gives the Royal Oak Chronograph a look that is ultra sportive, and also very beautiful.
An unusual dial for the Special Edition
Added to the perfectionism of the work that only the greatest brands can pride themselves on, the Special Edition’s exclusive dial, with indices, Arab figures and the various different areas of colour, all emphasize the virile appearance of the titanium frame, leaving no doubt about the sportive vocation of this timepiece.
Faithful to the original model, the Royal Oak Special Edition Chronograph includes the traditional dial with the “Clou de Paris” motifs, decorated with different areas for the chronometer counters. The indices are underlined by highly visible super luminova-coated Arab numerals, for easy time-reading.
Royal Oak Special Edition Chronograph, legibility and visibility at first glance.
Micronized pigment-coated titanium,
high-tech construction for a legendary object.
The Audemars Piguet Boutique Paris wanted to use titanium (an alloy of titanium, aluminium and vanadium), which requires a very particular skill in polishing each of the exterior components that go to make up this very high quality timepiece. Titanium is twice as hard as steel, hence the difficulty of polishing the case and bracelet of the Special Edition, and the rarity of objects made to such prestigious production standards on the market. Remember that in most cases crude titanium usually delivered for use in watch making. As well as being hypoallergenic, it brings obvious advantages in terms of resistance and weight, but Audemars Piguet’s complex production techniques take this material to a new extreme.
| Titanium | Stainless steel | |
| Density | 4.5 | 8.0 |
| Temperature of fusion | 1670°C | 1535°C |
| Module of elasticity | 110 Gpa | 200 GPa |
| Hardness Vickers [HV] | 290 | 180 |
Technical specifications
Movement: Mechanical with automatic winding, 21,600 alternations per hour, 37 rubies, power reserve 40 hours.
Case: Micronized pigment-coated titanium, screwed-in buttons, bezel and winding crown
Case-back: Engraved “Audemars Piguet Boutique Paris.”
Dial: Anthracite, grey and black, “clou de Paris.”
Crystal: Anti-reflection sapphire.
Functions<:/b> Hours, minutes, second, date, chronograph.
Size: 40 mm
Bracelet: Titanium, Audemars Piguet unfolding clasp.
Retail price tax included: 16,900 €
International 24-month guarantee
Opinion of The Watch Quote
On the plus side:
Quality of manufacture, use of titanium in its most noble form, the "Paris" Royal Oak Chronograph is a total success in the world of high –flying sports watch making. The fifty examples of this exceptional piece, already a collector’s item, will be snapped up fast by Audemars Piguet afficionados the world over.
On the minus side:
Obviously the same thing that makes one of the pluses, its rarity.
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